🥟 11 spring food & drink fests

⛈️ Severe Storm Causes Damage, Outages

Hundreds of thousands of homes lost power yesterday evening after a storm ripped through the Pittsburgh area. The National Weather Service says that PIT airport reported a 71.3 mph wind gust, the third strongest ever recorded there.

• 🚗 Be patient, and stay safe. Crews are working to clear hazards on the road. [KDKA]
• 📸 Residents shared photos and video of the storm’s aftermath. [WPXI / WTAE]

🗳️ Independents Can’t Vote in Mayoral Primary

PA is one of 10 states with a closed primary system, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans get to vote in their respective parties’ spring elections. We’re talking with SpotlightPA reporter Kate Huangpu about how this rule disenfranchises more than a million voters and what you should know if you want a say in Pittsburgh’s upcoming mayoral race. [SpotlightPA / 🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

✅ International Students Get Visas Back

The Trump administration restored the legal status of six international students and alumni at Pitt and 11 at CMU — along with some 1,500 other students nationwide — after abruptly cancelling their visas earlier this month. One CMU student hasn’t seen records restored yet. [PublicSource]

🎶 Three Rivers Arts Fest Lineup Announced

Musical artists like Suzanne Vega, Lisa Loeb, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Cautious Clay, and Souls of Mischief will play free concerts at the Three Rivers Arts Fest, June 5-8 in the Strip District. [WTAE]

• 🌈 More free fun! David Archuleta is headlining Pittsburgh Pride May 31. [QBurgh]

There are so many great bites and bevs to taste in the Burgh — and it's extra fun when food and drink vendors gather in one place!

Save room for these spring food and drink festivals:

🫒 Greek Food Festival

🗓️ May 4-10, various times

📍 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Oakland

Celebrate this 63-year tradition with music, dancing, and of course, classic eats like gyros, spanakopita, baklava, and moussaka. (You can order online too!)

🍓🥨 Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad Face-Off

🗓️ May 10, 12-2 p.m.

📍 The Block Northway, Ross Township

At this YaJagoff event, contestants compete to see who can make the best strawberry pretzel-inspired treat while raising money for a nonprofit of their choice. Tickets are $5 to taste test and vote on your favorites.

🍷 Spring Wine Walk

🗓️ May 10, 4-7 p.m.

📍 Business District, Squirrel Hill

Stop into businesses along Forbes and Murray Avenues to try 15 different wines at this Uncover Squirrel Hill fundraiser. You can stroll (and sip) at your own pace!

🥢 Taste of Asia

🗓️ May 11, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

📍Heinz History Center, Strip District

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by sampling bites from an array of local favorites like Amazing Dumplings, Bombay & Burgh, and Sumi’s Cakery — and stick around for live performances. Tickets are included with museum admission.

🍅 Pittsburgh Vegan Week

🗓️ May 12-18

📍 Multiple locations, various times

Join Humane Action Pennsylvania to explore our city’s vibrant vegan food scene. All week long, participating restaurants will offer discounts and specials. (I’m eyeing up this three-course meal from Revival on Lincoln in Bellevue.)

🥟 Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival

🗓️ May 17, 12-5 p.m.

📍 SouthSide Works

The annual festival is celebrating its 10th birthday with a super-stuffed lineup of restaurants, food trucks, and chefs serving up hot and delicious pierogi — plus cocktails and local brews. The Pop-Up Pierogi Marketplace will have all sorts of kitschy finds like pierogi art, pottery, apparel, and soap.

• Can’t make it to Strawberry Pretzel Jell-O Salad Face-Off? YaJagoff will serve their winning dessert!