Sugarhill Gang at Three Rivers Arts Festival; Bantam Jeep Fest Weekend; Living Dead Weekend (Sat., 6/8/24)

1) The 10-day Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is Pittsburgh’s largest and grandest summer celebration. The ever-popular Artist Market features handmade arts, crafts, and wearables on sale in over 150 booths. Performing arts are headlined by ten Mainstage Concerts in the Cultural District, at Ft. Duquesne Boulevard. Tonight’s featured act is Sugarhill Gang & The Furious Five (June 8). A varied lineup of Pittsburgh-based talent will perform at two other stages in the Cultural District. Last but not least, a juried visual arts exhibition will be displayed at Space Gallery in the Cultural District. (M.V., R.H.)

Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival — June 7 -9, Butler and Slippery Rock.

Jeep owners can register to have some big boulder fun on the Bantam Jeep Festival obstacle course.

2) Whether you have a Jeep or not, head to the Butler area for the annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. The event is a celebration of the fact that the original winning design for an all-purpose reconnaissance vehicle for the U.S. Army in 1940 was by Butler’s American Bantam car company. The government worried that Bantam couldn’t supply all the Jeeps the Army needed, so the design went to several different manufacturers while Bantam focused on other products. However, diehard Jeep enthusiasts see the Heritage Festival as honoring the true birth of the vehicle, and a rousing celebration it is. Highlights include the annual Jeep Parade, which has set world records for largest Jeep parades; Jeep historical exhibits with a WWII encampment; family-friendly activities; vendors; food; and a variety of on- and off-road Jeep driving events. Camping is offered too. The event is produced by the nonprofit The Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association (FBJA). The Jeep Parade is in downtown Butler and many other events are at Cooper’s Lake Campground, 205 Currie Rd, Slippery Rock. (R.H.)

Living Dead Weekend — June 7 – 9. Monroeville Mall.

3) Get your undead on at the Living Dead Weekend. As you probably know, George Romero, legendary director of the landmark horror film Night of the Living Dead, shot the film in Evans City and its first sequel, Dawn of the Dead, at Monroeville Mall. This makes Pittsburgh the zombie film capital of the world. And as the museum says, this year is a creep-year. Creepshow, Creepshow 2, and Night of the Creeps, are featured this year with many events and reunions. Highlights include celebrity appearances, movie location tours, cosplay, merchandise collectibles, art exhibits and panels, along with photo opportunities. Scheduled to appear are Tom Atkins, Tom Savini, Greg Nicotero, Jill Whitlow, Tony Buba, and many more. This promises to be a fun weekend, and remember, “They’re coming to get you, Barbara.” (R.H.)

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