Saturday,
May 19, 2012
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh
The 2012 Festival, presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, features activities for the whole family including kayaking, fishing, hiking, yoga, biking, climbing and more!
Traffic Alert May 19!
The section of the Parkway East inbound known as “the washtub” will be closed May 19-20. However, the Mon Wharf Parking Lot WILL BE OPEN to Festival attendees at a cost of $5/car.
To access the lot, exit the Parkway on Grant Street, turn left onto Ft. Pitt Boulevard, and proceed through the light at Wood Street. The Mon Wharf Lot entrance will be on your left. Stay to the left as you go down the ramp to the lot. The attendant will collect $5 as you enter.
Free activities at the festival:
Climbing Walls
Step into a harness, strap on a helmet and secure your carabiner, now you're ready to summit the wall! Start with an easy climb then try your hand on an advanced route. Climbers must be between 45 and 250 lbs. Offered all day by Climb Pittsburgh a project of Venture Outdoors.
Fishing
Cast a line into the waters of the Allegheny and reel in a big one! Fishing will be offered all day, rods and bait are provided. No fishing license required. Provided by PA Fish and Boat Commission and Venture Outdoors.
Boating
Take out a kayak on the Allegheny River. Our boats are flat bottomed and beginner friendly. Offered all day by Kayak Pittsburgh, a project of Venture Outdoors.
RiverQuest Explorer
Step on board the RiverQuest EXPLORER, the world's first green boat built for river education. RiverQuest presents RiverWorks Discovery® activities, sponsored by the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. Explore our river ecosystem, learn about the importance of river transport, make a watershed address name badge, and more, 11:00am through 6:00pm. Boat remains docked during festival.
Family and Community Tent
The Family Tent is a must see at the Festival! Stop by for music, crafts, hula hooping, coloring and much more. While you're there pick up your outdoor passport. Collect all the stamps and you'll be entered to win awesome family prizes!
Dragon Boating
Learn to paddle in unison to the beat of a drum. This team sport can be a great workout or an easy way to get out on the water with a group of friends. Dragon Boating trips will leave every hour throughout the day. Provided by Three Rivers Rowing Association.
Yoga – Breathing – Relaxation
Take a short break from the festivities to join some of Pittsburgh's best yoga instructors for 30-minute yoga sessions scheduled throughout the event. Beginning every half hour starting at 11:30 a.m., a wide variety of yoga styles and themes will be explored (please visit the Yoga Tent for the final schedule). Yoga mats will be provided – simply show up! Brochures and flyers on yoga classes, studios, and instructors throughout the Pittsburgh region will also be available. The yoga tent is organized and coordinated by BYS Yoga.
Biking
Bring your own bike to ride or try one of ours, rides will be organized throughout the day. Provided by Venture Outdoors, PORC and Golden Triangle Bike Rental
Free bike demo by Trek. Put their fleet to the test. Go for a ride on 2012 road and mountain bikes: hardtail/full suspension, 29ers, electronic shifting, and more!
Obstacle Course
Run, jump and crawl through the outdoor obstacle course in the grass of Point State Park. Grass Roots Racing will be hosting a Kids Adventure Race Obstacle Course—KAROC, and a brief kids compass challenge at the festival.
Unção Capoeira
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that was developed by African slaves in Brazil over 500 years ago. Its a sport that is beautiful and graceful, but also fast-paced and challenging. Instructions and information will be provided throughout the day by Unção Capoeira.
Fort Pitt Museum
Stop by the Fort Pitt Museum to learn about outdoor activities of the 18th Century. Try your hand at some 18th century games that were popular in Pittsburgh. Several soldiers will be on hand to talk about life at the fort. The museum will open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Great Outdoors Week
The 2012 Venture Outdoors Festival is a signature event of Great Outdoors Week.