🌮 11 spring food & drink fests

Local Optimism Over Live Nation Verdict

A federal grand jury says that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have been running a monopoly and overcharging fans for tickets. PA Attorney General Dave Sunday lauded the verdict, and one local concert promoter says things are going to change “definitely to the good.” [Associated Press / Attorney General / KDKA]

Celebrities Join Pittsburgh AI Pitch

Pittsburgh-born billionaire and “Shark Tank” host Mark Cuban is judging an AI contest at CMU this week, where the winning company will receive $1.75 million to move to Pittsburgh. Cuban will be joined by other famous names like Jerome Bettis, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Sen. Dave McCormick. [Axios Pittsburgh]

• PA is seeing an AI data center boom. Just last week, construction began on the gas-powered center in Homer City. [Axios Pittsburgh]
• Meanwhile, PA lawmakers are weighing restrictions and whether the state should offer tax breaks to data centers. [City & State PA / City Cast Pittsburgh]

Football Flyers Are Free During Draft

Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s football flyer routes will cover McCandless, Monroeville, Jefferson Hills, and Moon. Learn about other festivities around town, plus more tips for getting around by car, bus, bike, or ferry. [TribLive / City Cast Pittsburgh]

Rec Centers Open for Remote Learning

City recreation centers are offering space for students to learn while schools go remote during the draft. Some locations will provide breakfast and lunch and host football-themed evening events. See locations and details. [City Cast Pittsburgh / WESA]

Kennywood Celebrates 100 Years of The Whip

Kennywood opened over the weekend and celebrated some big milestones — like a century of The Whip, the last remaining 16-car model of its kind in all of the U.S., and 25 years of Phantom’s Revenge, the fastest coaster in PA. Learn about more fun activities during the park’s 2026 season. [KDKA / City Cast Pittsburgh]

Want to try some of the best bites and bevs in the Burgh? Save room for these spring food and drink events, from food truck festivals to taste test contests.

Mac & Cheese Festival

🗓️ May 2

📍 3 Crossings, Strip District

Sample over 30 kinds of mac and cheese dishes and vote on your favorite. Then wash it down at the Bloody Mary and Mimosa Pavilion. Tickets go fast — buy general admission or VIP for extra perks.

Vegan Restaurant Week

🗓️ May 11-17

📍 Multiple locations

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 keeping my eyes peeled for what Chef Michael Godlewski is cooking up at EYV.)

Strawberry Pretzel Standoff

🗓️ May 16

📍 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 $15 to taste test and vote on your favorites.

Pour at the Park

🗓️ May 16

📍South Park, South Park Township

Enjoy brews and bites with proceeds benefiting nine parks through the Allegheny County Parks Foundation. There will be a kids fun zone, raffle baskets, live local music, and more at this 10th annual celebration. Get early bird tickets for a discount.

Pittsburgh Pizza Olympics

🗓️ May 24

📍 Spirit, Lawrenceville

Celebrate craft and creativity at the first annual Pittsburgh Pizza Olympics. It’s part culinary competition, part block party. Enjoy live music and get slices from Pittsburgh favorites like Badamo’s, Driftwood Oven, Spak, 77 Club, Slice on Broadway, Rockaway, and more.