5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Aug. 30-Sept. 2

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 7:11 a.m. | Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 7:11 a.m.

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Nate Smallwood | Tribune-Review

A newly-added fountain at Allegheny Commons Park on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The park will host the Water Lantern Festival on Saturday.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

The Lazy River at Sandcastle.

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Philip Giliberto carries his daughter, Kayla, both of Pleasant Hills and representing Pittsburgh Federated Teachers, during Pittsburgh’s 37th annual Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. This year’s parade is Monday.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

The piece entitled “Horse and Rider,” was unveiled at the Carnegie Science Center on Pittsburgh’s North Side. It’s part of the exhibit “DaVinci The Exhibition” which runs through Monday.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review

The Heinz Field Ribfest is Friday through Monday on the North Side.

It’s Labor Day weekend, which often signals the unofficial conclusion of summer. Here are some ways to spend that three-day holiday weekend.

Laboring

The 38th annual Labor Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday. The route begins at PPG Paints Arena and concludes at the United Steelworkers Building, Downtown. It is considered the largest Labor Day parade in the U.S. The event honors and celebrates unions that represent Allegheny/Fayette County Central Labor Council.

Details: unionhall.aflcio.org/alleghenyco/events/labor-day-parade

Take a final dip before the pools are drained

Saturday through Monday is the last time to go swimming at Sandcastle in West Homestead. Sandcastle has 15 water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and two children’s areas.Most other pools close this weekend too, if they haven’t already drained the water, so check before you go.

Details: sandcastlewaterpark.com

View the Da Vinci exhibit

This is the final weekend to see the touring “Da Vinci The Exhibition” at Carnegie Science Center on the North Side at its PPG Pavilion. The exhibition, which runs through Monday, examines the “original Renaissance man’s” life and his achievements. It includes 60 life-size reproductions of da Vinci’s inventions, 20 detailed art replicas and dozens of displays highlighting his innovations in art, engineering, flight, hydraulics, music and light.

Visitors also learn about his understanding of science, mathematics and nature.

Details: carnegiesciencecenter.org

Basically, it's the PERFECT weekend to check out #DaVinciTheExhibition before it leaves #Pittsburgh! It closes on #LaborDay, folks! https://t.co/qm2PUMLtoC

— Carnegie Science Ctr (@CarnegieSciCtr) August 24, 2019

Light the way

The Water Lantern Festival is Saturday at Allegheny Commons West Park on the North Side. Each adult ticket includes a floating lantern, drawstring bag, marker, wristband, lantern retrieval and water cleanup. Guests will create lanterns and write a message on them before they are sent out to light up the water.

Details: waterlanternfestival.com/pittsburgh.php

Ribs, with a side of Clarks

Yummy! The 16th annual Heinz Field Rib Fest and Kickoff runs through Monday on the North Shore. The event features ribs and brisket vendors from all over the country and attracts more than 100,000 attendees. On Friday, Pittsburgh’s beloved rock band The Clarks will perform outside Gate A at 9 p.m. On Saturday, the University of Pittsburgh kicks off its football season at 7:30 p.m. when the Panthers host the Virginia Cavaliers.

The Gatorade/Steelers 5K Race, Fitness Walk and Kid’s Kickoff Run begins at 8 a.m. on Monday.

Details: heinzfield.com

Retweet this post for a chance to win an autographed copy of Between Now and Then Vol. 2! Catch @TheClarks in Pittsburgh, PA at the Heinz Field Kickoff and Rib Fest on 8/30 for a FREE show starting at 6:30 PM. pic.twitter.com/RuWFBsrwLf

— The Clarks (@theclarks) August 27, 2019