Pittsburgh Irish Festival; A Fair in the Park; Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers; Pitt Panthers; Taco Fest (Sat., 9/6/25)

PITTSBURGH IRISH FESTIVAL—September 5 – 7. Carrie Blast Furnaces.

We Banjo 3 and performers from other groups jamming together at 2015 Pittsburgh Irish Festival. (photo: Rick Handler)

1) Two rules of Irishness: (1) You do not have to be Irish to enjoy Irish things. (2) You might be more Irish than you think. This year’s Pittsburgh Irish Festival is the city’s 34th annual celebration of Celtic culture—and since scholars say the ancient Celts populated lands from Austria to Portugal, this takes in everybody from Sigmund Freud to Cristiano Ronaldo. They’d both have a blast at the Festival. Irish musical acts perform constantly through the weekend. The entertainment lineup includes Gaelic Storm, Bastard Bearded Irishmen, Screaming Orphans, Donnie Irish, Abbots Cross, Devilish Merry, Morgan Bullock, and Sean Patrick Regan. There’s sure to be at least three pipe bands (there is no such thing as too much bagpipes). In addition to music and dancing, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival has storytelling, arts and crafts, experts on Irish/Celtic culture and genealogy, etc., along with Irish foods, Irish whiskey, stout, and mead. The festival is Irishness writ as large as it can be writ. Come one, come all. 4 – 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Rankin. (M.V.)      

A FAIR IN THE PARK—September 5 -7, Mellon Park

Beautiful glass art are among the works that can be scene at The Fair in the Park.

2) The annual A Fair in the Park will happen again this year in Shadyside’s Mellon Park. Promoted as a contemporary fine crafts and arts show and sale, it includes art and craft demonstrations, performances, music, food, and children’s activities. The fair is presented by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh and Citiparks. Food trucks and local vendors will be on hand and will be announced soon. Fair hours are: Friday, 1 – 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fifth and Shady Aves., Shadyside/Point Breeze/Squirrel Hill. (R.H.)

3) Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers are Pittsburgh rock royalty. They have risen through several incarnations—from the Brick Alley Band to Joe Grushecky and the Iron City Houserockers to the unit’s present day form—Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers—to become one of Pittsburgh’s top bands. Over the years Grushecky’s sound is one of both hard-driving rock and roll and insightful ballads. The lyrics and music seek higher ground, and find it. Top songs include “Pumping Iron,” “Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive),” and “Rock and Real.” In 2024 Grushecky released Joe Grushecky Houserocker: A Joe Grushecky Anthology and followed that up by releasing a fantastic new album with The Houserockers, Can’t Outrun a Memory. (See our story and interview with Grushecky regarding the making of the album.) A track from the LP, “This is Who We Are” made Little Steven’s Underground Garage Coolest Songs in the World 2024. Grushecky has also released a CD version of his 1981 recording with the Iron City Houserockers, Blood on the Bricks. And most recently Grushecky dropped a hot new track, “Living in a Blues Song.” Special guests at this performance are Ned Rankin and Marc Reisman from the original Iron City Houserockers. 7 p.m. The Indiana Theater, 637 Philadelphia St., Indiana. (R.H.)

4) The Pitt Panthers blew out Duquesne last weekend in the new city game. Today they have another tune-up game against Central Michigan Chippewas (don’t tell that to Central Michigan). They are 1-0 also. This game will be played at Acrisure Stadium before Pitt hits the road next week against West Virginia. Noon. 100 Art Rooney Ave., North Shore.

5) Are you a big taco fan? Then today is your day! Head on down to the Pittsburgh Taco Festival in the Strip District. The event features over 25 food trucks, Latin music, salsa dancing, bars and more. 12:30 to 7 p.m. 3 Crossings, 2865 Railroad St., Strip District.

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