City Cast Pittsburgh
🎆 We’re the ‘fireworks capital of the world’
July 3, 2024 · — Mallory Falk
Hello neighbor! If you love fireworks but hate Downtown traffic, I have a pro tip for catching the city display tomorrow night: park on the North Side, walk a few blocks, and watch the spectacle from a Sister Bridge.
🇺🇸 Reminder: We’re off for the Fourth of July, so think of us while you’re toasting to friends. Scroll down for some events to get you through the holiday. ⬇️
What's CITY Talking About?
About $80K for City Fireworks
Pittsburgh’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display will be handled this year by Carroltown-based Starfire Corporation, which this year landed a three-year, $252,200 contract with the city. They’re one of three local companies that have competed for city business since 2021 — and they all have fascinating backstories. The 2024 show begins over the Point at 9:35 p.m. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
- Can’t get Downtown this year? Here’s a list of displays all over the region. [KDKA-TV]
Fetterman on Israel & Netanyahu
U.S. Sen. John Fetterman says “I'm not gonna pander” to progressive pro-Palestinian voters who’ve protested outside his Braddock home and offices. The first-term Democrat traveled to Israel last week via the Senate’s banking committee, where he talked for an hour to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Hamas and visited the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. Netanyahu is expected to address a joint session of Congress on July 24. [NPR]
Pittsburghers Get Parking Tickets From… Denver?
A Colorado company mistakenly issued parking tickets to hundreds of Pittsburgh event attendees near the PPG Paints Arena. Parking Revenue Recovery Services issued refunds, apology letters, and discounted parking to the 629 people affected, but it’s not the first time it’s faced similar backlash. [TribLIVE]
What To Do
Wednesday, July 3
- 🌳 Nursery Volunteer Day at Tree Pittsburgh | 9 a.m. - noon | free | Lawrenceville
- 🎨 Roving Art Cart at Friendship Park | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | free | Bloomfield
- 📕 Cookbook Club at Riverstone Books | 7 p.m. | free, reservation required | Squirrel Hill
- 🥾 Evening Hike with Beat the Blues Wellness Adventure Group | 7 p.m. | free | Fox Chapel
- 🎶 Live Music: BBMAK at City Winery | 7:30 | $30+ | Strip District
- 🎸 Open Jam Session at Lolev Beer | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | free | Lawrenceville
- 🫦 Make Out Club at Mixtape | 8 p.m. - midnight | $5 | Garfield
Thursday, July 4
- 🎣 Lake Taylor Fishing Derby | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | free | Farmington
- 🦅 Fourth at the Fort at Fort Pitt Museum | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | free with museum admission | Downtown
- 🎢 Celebrate America at Kennywood Park | 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | $37.49+, free for military servicemembers | Kennywood
- 🐱 Anthrocon | various times — through July 7 | $65+ | Downtown
- 🎆 Big Blast at Grandview with Bottlerocket | 3-10 p.m. | pay-as-you-go | Allentown
- 🌟 Stars and Stripes on Shiloh | 4-8 p.m. | pay as you go | Mt. Washington
- 🇺🇸 City of Pittsburgh Independence Day Celebration | 4-10 p.m., fireworks at 9:35 p.m. | free | Downtown
- 🎺 De Fer Jazz Jam Sessions | 6-9 p.m. | pay as you go | Strip District
- 🎇 Fireworks Paddle on the Allegheny River | 8:30-10:30 p.m. | $93 | North Shore
Friday, July 5
- 🐱 Anthrocon | various times – through July 7 | $65+ | Downtown
- 🎢 Celebrate America at Kennywood Park | 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. | $37.49+, free for military servicemembers | West Mifflin
- 🎨 Roving Art Cart at Riverview Park | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | free | North Side
- 🎭 Unique: An Improv Show About Disabilities and Mental Health at Arcade | 7 p.m. | $15 | Downtown
- 🎵 Summer of Love at South Park Amphitheater | 7:30 p.m. | free | South Park
Today on City Cast
How To Deal Hunt at Pittsburgh’s Mysterious New Megastores
Return or ripoff? Costsaver or scam? Pittsburghers love a deal, so when the discount stores housed under Mac.bid came to town, many of us started bidding without reading the fine print. City Cast’s Elizabeth Kauma and Megan Harris are exploring how it got here, what to do so you don’t buy a dud, and whether these liquidation emporiums are worth the risk at all.
Remember! No podcast or newsletter from us tomorrow. Have a great holiday.
Free · Daily