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The return of Little Italy Days
Little Italy Days are coming back to Bloomfield in a big way!
After taking a pandemic pause in 2020, the region’s largest heritage festival returns Aug. 19-22. Hours will be 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Liberty Avenue will be lined with food vendors and free festivities, including bocce ball and more than 30 live performances on three stages. Visitors also are encouraged to patronize neighborhood businesses, which were hit hard by Covid closures.
Because parking in Bloomfield is limited, festival organizers are partnering with UPMC and Allegheny Health Network to provide free parking and shuttles from the UPMC Luna Garage at 5111 Baum Blvd. and the lot at Liberty Avenue and Winebiddle Street. Healthy Ride Share has three stations in Bloomfield and Bike Pittsburgh has maps and other resources available for folks who want to two-wheel it to the festival.
Bring a lawn chair (and a big appetite), find a spot and enjoy Pittsburgh’s Little Italy.
Chow down and help out with Allegheny Eats
The Allegheny Eats program is scheduled to end this month, but it will continue to remain a resource for connecting people experiencing food insecurity to organizations and professionals who can provide assistance.
The last day for patrons to order a meal kit is June 22. The last day for restaurant industry professionals to order meals is June 24.
Allegheny Eats was developed during the pandemic as a one-stop shop where consumers could support their favorite restaurants, help feed industry workers and provide security for local farms and producers through purchases of meal kits for at-home dining. By the end of June, more than 11,000 free meals will have been served to restaurant industry workers and other people in need.
“The need has been reduced as the pandemic subsides and the program is on track to exceed its goals,” says Sustainable Pittsburgh Executive Director Joylette Portlock. “It’s time to re-target our efforts to support the local economy and food system.”
Covid vaccine clinic at the August Wilson Center
On June 21, UPMC is partnering with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council to offer a Covid vaccine clinic at the center at 980 Liberty Ave. from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The vaccine is the Johnson & Johnson shot and registration is required by calling 833-653-0518 or, if English is not your preferred language, 833-660-2416. Ask for the Pittsburgh Arts Community Vaccine Clinic.