Pittsburgh Celebrates 250 Years

Year-long celebration in store for visitors

Pittsburgh got its name 250 years ago, in November 1758, when a British and Colonial army led by General John Forbes occupied the ruins of the former French fort, Fort Duquesne. Gen. Forbes named the new settlement, which was strategically located at the confluence of three rivers, after British Prime Minister William Pitt. And so marks the birth of Pittsburgh, dubbed America's Most Livable City, according to 2007 Places Rated Almanac.

"The Pittsburgh 250th anniversary is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the transformation of Pittsburgh," said VisitPittsburgh President + CEO Joseph McGrath. "And, to commemorate the birth of this great city, there's an elaborate, year-long celebration in store for visitors." From the completion of a hiking and biking trail that will connect Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., to the renovation of Point State Park, to a fabulous you-got-to-see-to-believe festival of lights where buildings in and around Downtown are illuminated, Pittsburgh is going to be celebrating in a big way. And, all over the region, expatriates will be returning for reunions of all kind.

Visitors can follow in the footsteps of young George Washington and the 1758 Forbes Expedition along the Pennsylvania Forbes Trail—the first route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. And, to guide you, you'll want a copy of the beautifully illustrated new guide, Pennsylvania's Forbes Trail. The guide details everything from historic sites and natural resources to outdoor recreation and shopping, dining and lodging. It's available at bookstores and http://www.forbestrail.org

Here are some of the many highlights that visitors won't want to miss as Pittsburgh celebrates its 250th birthday:

• The American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania bicycle race—a professional race with a $250,000 purse—covers about 450 miles over six days. It begins in Philadelphia and ends in Pittsburgh on June 29. The tour features 120 of the world's best cyclists in the espoir, or under 25, class.
• The much-anticipated completion of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, a 335-mile bicycle and hiking trail that joins Pittsburgh to our nation's capital. The trail links with the C&O Canal National Historic Park in Cumberland, Md., to the near-seamless connection between Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. The PNC Legacy Trail Ride begins September 27, 2008, in Washington, D.C. and ends in Pittsburgh on October 4, 2008. The trail passes through small towns and offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Eastern United States.
• Located at the "Point" in downtown Pittsburgh, Point State Park is undergoing a $35 million renovation. The restored promenade features steps into the rivers, water taxi landings and cock tie-ups for boats and kayaks.
• During October and November, Downtown Pittsburgh shines during a one of-a-kind artistic lighting event by French artist Lucette de Rugy, who bedazzled Downtown in 2007 during "Pittsburgh Celebrates Glass." In 2008, buildings throughout the city and Oakland are being illuminated like never before.
• The Federated Investors Parade of Champions pays tribute to Pittsburgh's rich athletic heritage as the City of Champions." June 20-22 is dedicated to the three pro teams - Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins and is a veritable who's who of Pittsburgh Sports Hall of Famers. Hometown heroes will return to Pittsburgh to reunite with fans during this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
• What do Big Macs, Bingo and the Ferris Wheel have in common? All were created in the Pittsburgh area. Learn more about these "firsts" and many others at a new permanent exhibition, "Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation," opening in November at the Heinz History Center.

As part of the Pittsburgh 250, VisitPittsburgh created the Reunions and Homecoming Initiative, co-chaired by VisitPittsburgh Chairman Jeff Letwin. Officially called "REUNION 2008," this campaign was created for residents, individuals and organizations throughout the 14-county region. The idea is to organize homecomings, reunions and meetings that bring expatriates and visitors to southwestern Pennsylvania through 2008 and beyond. The first big event, the World's Largest Wedding Vow Renewal, was held at the Carnegie Music Hall and brought people back to Pittsburgh from all over the country. It was a sellout with over 600 couples renewing their vows and is expected to break the Guinness World Record.