Pittsburgh's Biggest Birthday Bash!

09/16/2008

Pittsburgh's Biggest Birthday Bash!
Colcom Foundation Presents... Pittsburgh Celebrates 250 - promises fun for everyone!

PITTSBURGH - It's here! The celebration that everyone's been waiting for - Colcom Foundation Presents... Pittsburgh Celebrates 250. This free, fun-filled day on Saturday, Oct. 4, is the proverbial icing on Pittsburgh's birthday cake, as the region comes together to celebrate its 250^th birthday.

"Pittsburgh is in for a spectacular treat," said Tim Inglis, Colcom Foundation President. "This day - and night - promise to be a sensational celebration for people of all ages to enjoy. And Colcom Foundation is delighted to be the title sponsor for this event that launches a two-month anniversary party celebrating the region's past, present and future."         

Prepare to be dazzled! From the region's largest fireworks display to an historic boat parade to an unprecedented bicycle relay from Washington, D.C., Downtown Pittsburgh is the place to be on October 4.

The day-long event, which begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes at 10:30 p.m., celebrates Pittsburgh 250 Signature Projects, including ceremonies for the Great Allegheny Passage, Forbes Trail and a community festival that highlights the ongoing transformation of Point State Park. 

The PNC Legacy Trail Ride celebrates the Great Allegheny Passage, a 335-mile bicycle and hiking trail restoring the historic link between Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh. Families are invited to join in the last leg of the ride on Oct. 4 by signing up to participate in the PNC Legacy Trail Community Ride. Cyclists will meet at either the Hot Metal Bridge on the South Side or PNC Firstside Center, Downtown, before pedaling their way to the finish line at Point State Park. All Trail Ride participants will receive a free commemorative gift.

And no Pittsburgh celebration would be complete without fireworks. The grand finale to the 250^th birthday kick-off celebration will light up Pittsburgh as never before. "Imagine Pittsburgh Fireworks Spectacular" will be the largest display in the region's history with 14 launch sites -- the most in the United States. Pittsburgh's skyline will be transformed into a birthday cake complete with "candles" on skyscrapers as world-renowned Zambelli Fireworks Internationale illuminates the city. The fireworks will be choreographed to an inspiring soundtrack celebrating Pittsburgh's 250 years of creativity and reinforcing the theme, Pittsburgh 250: Imagine what you can do here,

Other programming for this special day includes:

• Three Rivers 250^th Flotilla, a 200-vessel riverboat parade, organized by Riverquest, that includes the Gateway Clipper Fleet, non-motorized vessels, including dragon boats and canoes, as well as industry barges, recreational boats, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard boats and more. The boats will be assembled at Bruno's Island on the Ohio River and will travel upriver toward the Point.
• Pittsburgh Born and Bred Concert with the region's own national talent taking the Point State Park stage. Acts include B.E. Taylor, Joe Grushecki, Etta Cox and many more.
• Pittsburgh 250 First, Facts & Fun "game show" hosted by Rick Sebak.
• Historic flag ceremony conducted by 250 Eagle Scouts to commemorate the possession of Frances Fort Duquesne by General John Forbes and the British Army on Nov. 25, 1758.
• CLO performance of the "Naming of Pittsburgh."
• Ceremonies honoring the military and Forbes Trail and celebrating the Great Allegheny Passage.
• Carnegie Mellon University's ROBOT 250 "Thinking Machines" featuring Quasi and Boss.

And more:

• Pittsburgh Penguins against the Ottawa Senators live from Stockholm, Sweden on the big screen at Mellon Arena.
• Candlelight House Tour in Lawrenceville.
• French and Indian War Encampment at Boyce Park in Plum Boro.
• Pittsburgh Opera Brown Bag Concert in the Strip District.
• A full slate of performances in Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

Colcom Foundation Presents... Pittsburgh Celebrates 250 kicks off a two-month birthday celebration, which runs through Thanksgiving weekend. The next big event is the Pittsburgh 250 Festival of Lights and the Pittsburgh International Festival of Firsts. The Festival of Lights, Oct. 10-Nov. 20, is a dazzling exhibition by French lighting designer Lucette de Rugy as she "paints" the facades of dozens of buildings with light. The Festival of Firsts brings cutting-edge artists from around the globe to the Cultural District, Oct. 10-25. And on Nov. 28, the made-in-Pittsburgh movie, "My Tale of Two Cities," premiers at downtown's Byham Theater as part of Pittsburgh Celebrates 250: Homecoming Weekend.

The October 4 event is being coordinated by Pittsburgh 250, an initiative of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, with assistance from VisitPittsburgh.

BACKGROUND
Pittsburgh 250 is the celebration of the 250^th anniversary of the naming of the region in 1758. With the support of business, government and civic leaders from across the region, Pittsburgh 250 has set three goals: Improve awareness of southwestern Pennsylvania as a global leader in arts, science and quality of life through an integrated regional marketing effort; support the completion of lasting signature projects that connect the region's past to its future; and improve the region's competitiveness for future generations by encouraging grassroots participation in improving communities, attracting visitors and living healthier lives.

About Colcom Foundation
Colcom Foundation was established by Cordelia S. May, a western Pennsylvania philanthropist who supported regional and national initiatives to improve quality of life.  In fulfilling her vision, the Colcom Foundation supports local programs that enhance Pittsburgh's viability and livability. The Foundation participates in local programs to improve parks and trails, expand public gardens and streetscapes, provide access to lifesaving equipment, create and maintain art for public spaces, support environmental education programs, and sustain local recreational destinations.  In addition, Colcom supports conservation and environmental efforts and cultural assets throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. Colcom Foundation has been ranked the 8^th largest Pittsburgh-area foundation based on total grant funding. 

Colcom Foundation Presents... Pittsburgh Celebrates 250
Road Closures - Saturday, October 4 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
Grant Street Off Ramps
Parkways East and West Grant Street to Boulevard of the Allies
Boulevard of the Allies from Grant Street to Stanwix Street
Stanwix Street from Boulevard of the Allies to Liberty Avenue
Liberty Avenue from Stanwix Street to Commonwealth Place
First Avenue from Grant Street to Ross Street
Ross Street from First Avenue to Second Avenue
Second Avenue from Ross Street to Grant Street