Positively Pittsburgh Live! 8-15-11
Pittsburgh Fall Festivals
Fall is not just for hayrides and scare houses, there are lots of other exciting events going on in Pittsburgh in early fall.
Today’s Guests
Nan Krushinski, Executive Director Irish Partnership, Inc., 21st Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival
Karla Owens, Executive Director of Bloomfield Development Corporation, Little Italy Days
Beth Rush, Penn's Colony Festival's "Living History Challenge"
PENN'S COLONY FESTIVAL'S "LIVING HISTORY CHALLENGE
Historic Saxonburg, Butler Co., PA, Sept. 17-18 and 24-25, 2011, Saturdays 10-6, Sundays 10-5
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| French March Forward |
Each September, Penn’s Colony Festival revives the 18th century for two colorful, authentic and vibrantly alive weekends in Saxonburg, PA – 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh. Set on 12, easy walking, tree-shaded acres and with the French and Indian War era (1750s) as a framework, Penn’s Colony celebrates the region’s daily life, history, arts and entertainment in a hands-on, interactive atmosphere perfect for family fun, as well as the collector of American Folk Art and Hand Craft. Over 150 master craftsmen and folk artists and fine artists set up shop in a quaint, outdoor Early American village setting to demonstrate and sell furniture, folk art, primitives, fine arts, pottery, carvings, decoratives, seasonal accents and more...all made in America by the artist. This year’s FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS include:
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| Penn's Colony Surrey Gate |
· Many new artisans featuring handmade in America wares, furniture and gifts to enhance daily life and decorate contemporary homes. The marketplace features 150 exhibits.
· Rich Patrick Band – the three-member band entertains with lyrical and bawdy songs of the 18th century from colonial America across the pond to England, Ireland and Scotland.
· Brigadoon Highlanders Pipes and Drums (17th, 18th and 25h)
· Celtic Eagle Pipes and Drums (24th)
· Hidden History – An entertaining introduction to the history secrets behind the successes of our French, Native, British and European colonial ancestors. Presented twice daily on the Kuskusky Clearing stage.
· 18th c. Native American Eastern Woodland educator and demonstrator on Sept. 24-25.
· New this year for KIDS: Bring your favorite rock and identify it at the Panning for Gems activity. Learn the techniques to separate ordinary rocks from gems.
· Yuck! What’s that bug? Then Insect Creations will show you how to preserve your bugs and create a collection. Considered one of the “green” arts, the preservation display actually helps to sustain the economy and preserve the tropical forests.
Discussion:
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| Re-enactment Cannon |
- Award winning festival right in our own backyard, that's commemorating/celebrating events that impacted the world, yet the event is unique to the Pittsburgh region.
- Something positive for every age and interest.
- Market of folk art, furniture and fine crafted collectibles is a prime example of buying local and benefiting the community.
- Spending time outdoors. Step back in time and learn about Colonial heritage, but also learn more about yourself.
- Penn's Colony has a long history of educating and entertaining folks about colonial times,
- BUT this year they have added a new exciting dimension called the Living History Challenge and to share their experiences on the Facebook page or enter the contest through the website.
- Hidden History - offers a different adventure every time. Penn's Colony strives to provide the "excellent adventure" in the French & Indiana war era.
- Dozens and dozens of opportunities to try handcraft throughout the master craftsman marketplace or in the living history camps.
Living history challenge
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| Colonial Shops at Penn's Colony |
Have you ever wondered what daily life was like during Colonial America? In this time of economic uncertainty, do you sometimes long for the ‘simple life’ when everything was handmade in America and lasted for many years? This year’s Penn’s Colony Festival is designed to encourage visitors and enthusiasts to participate in a ‘Living History Challenge’ before and during the Festival.
The Festival’s founders and top historians are giving the public a chance to experience these activities up close and personal as well as from the comfort of their homes through the new Living History Challenge. This event is a rare opportunity for students, hobbyists, families or anyone curious about daily living during Colonial times to travel ‘back in time.’ Here is how to take part in the Living History Challenge:
· For participation AT Home: Select your challenge, and commit to it for a period of two weeks. Write a brief, 1-2 paragraph essay describing what you did and the impact the challenge made in your life. Post it on the Penn’s Colony Facebook Page.
· For participation AT the Festival, select the challenge in which you would like to participate if you win. Winners must be able to make the commitment to participate on the date and time specified for their challenge. Penn’s Colony Festival is not responsible for transporting winners to or from the challenge event.
Beth Rush, Penn's Colony Festival, PO Box 431, Saxonburg, PA 16056
September 23, 24 and 25, 2011The Bloomfield Development Corporation
· 501c3 non profit community development corporation whose mission is:
· Oversees the implementation of various economic development strategies such as business recruitment, business expansion, business and job development and pursuit of funding opportunities to achieve these goals.
· Addresses residential issues such as housing, public safety, and education to improve the quality of residential living.
· In the sixth year of the Mainstreet program and participates in planning and development activities throughout the East End.
· Hosts events and activities that promote Bloomfield as a destination place.
Karla Owens
· A community leader and Bloomfield business owner with 20 years experience in education, management, sales, marketing, customer service and business development
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| Karla Owens |
· Received an MS Ed from Duquesne University in Education/Instructional Technology and a B.S. from Clarion University in Business Administration/Marketing.
· Currently enrolled in University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Graduate Studies.
· A member of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s Blue Ribbon Economic Development Committee, Owens also earned a Paralegal Certificate from Pennsylvania State University.
· as Mainstreet Manager of the BBA are: developing a strategic Business District Action Plan, increasing membership by 15%, assisting local businesses with façade improvement grants, and receiving more than $200,000 in grant money for neighborhood development.
Discussion:
Little Italy Days
· Created as a method of celebrating the local Italian Heritage.
· Liberty Avenue comes alive with music, food games and activities amidst Bloomfield’s unique shops and fine restaurants. also bocce tournament, kids games, raffles, and spaghetti eating contest
· This is the 10th anniversary.
· Attendance over three days is over 25000. Local people return to the neighborhood and hold family reunions during the event.
· Free Admission, family friendly, one of the only ethic festivals in the city of Pittsburgh
· Hugely recognized promotional event, but we have been able to quantify as business development tool. Visitors have expressed interest in setting up and expanding locations once they see the location and vitality of the neighborhood.
· Charter buses from Italian organizations come from State College, Baltimore, Monnessan.
· Live broadcast on Friday on Radio Italia, WEDO 801 a.m. and Comcast Local Edition TV Show.
· Tents lined up both sides of Liberty Avenue, traffic still moves through, this is why the event has grown so much.
· Little Italy Days Mass at Immaculate Conception Church, Edmond St. at 11:30 on Sunday followed by Procession of the Madonna dellacivita
· The event logs over 11,000 volunteer hours
· In 2004, the event was recognized as Best Special Event in the City of Pittsburgh by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and in 2008 was recognized as Best Special Event Statewide by the Pa Downtown Center for advancing "the sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality of Pennsylvania's downtowns, traditional neighborhood business districts and nearby residential neighborhoods."
Karla Owens, Executive Director, Bloomfield Development Corporation
412.681.8800-office, 412.401.3750-cell
21ST ANNUAL PITTSBURGH IRISH FESTIVAL
September 9-10-11, 2011
Our goal is to contribute to the rich cultural expression of Irish history and tradition that exists in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Irish Festival:· Celebrates the richness of Ireland through lively music, savory Irish food and world championship dancing at the Riverplex at Sandcastle!
· Brings together the Pittsburgh community for three days of Celtic camaraderie.
· An authentic Irish marketplace, wide selection of tasty Irish cuisine, extensive children's area, and four continuous entertainment and cultural stages.
· Variety of Irish dogs, dance the jig, play the harp and Irish drum, and learn the Irish language.
· Celebrate Gaelic Mass on Sunday.
· Draws more than 25,000 visitors.
· The largest Irish festival in the state!
Nan Krushinski,
· Pittsburgh Irish Festival is also Executive Director Irish Partnership, Inc., 21st Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival
· Direct all facets of multi-cultural and corporate events from conception to completion.
· Consult, execute, and train on all principal aspects of sponsorship for non-profit organizations, corporations, concert promoters, and festivals.
Create and distribute multiple-length public service announcements. Effective event spokesperson on all media formats including television, radio and print.
· Facilitate copywriting, ad buys, ad creation and distribution, grassroots and commercial promotions, and all facets of public relations/advertising campaign.
· Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Public Relations at University of Pittsburgh, PA,
To hear this episode of Positively Pittsburgh Live in its entirety go to:
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| Delana Flowers |
Delana Flowers is a multi-talented creative. She is a Positively Pittsburgh Live reporter, a dynamic vocalist, an amazing Actress, and an independent writer. Delana is owner of Ingenuity by Delana Flowers ©, writing effective copy so you don’t have to. Services include copywriting for newsletters, blogs, ad copy, marketing pieces, articles, reviews, invitations, postcards, flyers and more.
