Best Family-Friendly Activities In Pittsburgh For St. Patrick's Day 2014
Want to wish your family and friends Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh while partying it up with the kids this St. Paddy's Day? Look no further than here for the four best family-friendly events in the 'Burgh. Pittsburgh has such a rich Irish heritage that it's no surprise that fun St. Patrick's-themed celebrations pop up all over during the end of February and beginning of March. Many are free, or low-cost, and are easily accessible from every major area in the region.
Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day Parade
Liberty Ave. and 11th St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.pittsburghirish.org/parade
Date: March 15, 2014 at 10 a.m.
From floats to dancers, marching bands to traditional (and non!) Irish bands, baton teams, drill teams and animal groups, the Pittsburgh Irish Parade offers fun and entertainment for your entire family. This parade also happens to be the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, when all of Pittsburgh comes together to celebrate Ireland's patron saint. You don't have to be Irish to enjoy everything the fundraisers, award ceremonies, crowning of Miss Smiling Irish Eyes and the actual parade provide; just be certain to not miss out on what the hundreds of thousands of other spectators think from year to year: "Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day Parade is a statewide institution!" At final tally, more than 23,000 people march in this great green parade.
Kids Fest
Fifth Avenue Place
120 5th Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 456-7800
www.fifthavenueplacepa.com
Date: March 15, 2014 at 11 a.m.
After enjoying the parade, you're going to be jazzed up, so why let the fun stop there? Head on over to Fifth Avenue Place where the party continues with kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day-themed events and entertainment. Admission is free and crafts, face painting, games and music abound. Parking can be a bit tricky around these parts, so consider carpooling with other parade revelers and get the biggest bang for your buck.
Irish Fair in the Square
Market Square
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(724) 766-2525
www.marketsquarepgh.com
Date: March 15, 2014 at 10 a.m.
The festivities start with a family-friendly Irish Fair in the Square from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This alcohol-free event's activities include music from local bands and groups. While you enjoy the great music, a band of clowns will be performing magic tricks and painting shamrocks and four-leaf clovers on the faces of the littlest leprechauns in attendance. This event will be a great way to round out your parade day and St. Patty's night.
Related: Guide To Preparing For Your High School Dance In Pittsburgh
Nationality Rooms
University of Pittsburgh
Cathedral of Learning
4200 5th Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-6000
www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu
Take your kids for a tour of the Irish room in University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning and take away a deep appreciation of this rich heritage. The delicately and thoroughly detailed carved arches over the blackboard in the Irish room beautifully depict pre-Christian symbols, cat masks and boar heads, while the intricate stained glass windows transport you into another era. Remind your children that this stone room represents a Christian oratory of the 12th century, and let them embark on their own journey of discovery.
Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
