Latest news with #PittsburghDowntownPartnership
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pittsburgh's annual Holiday Market moving to new temporary location
Pittsburgh's Holiday Market is moving to a new location this year. Because of construction in Market Square, the Peoples Gas Holiday Market will set up shop for its 14th season in the Cultural District. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said the exact location will be revealed later, but the Holiday Market will continue "to deliver the same festive charm and family-friendly magic that have made it a holiday favorite and a Pittsburgh institution for nearly 15 years." The Holiday Market, which opens the Friday before Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas Eve, transforms Downtown into a festive winter wonderland. Vendors set up shop in decorated chalets, selling handcrafted treasures from around the world. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership says the event is a key driver of seasonal foot traffic and economic impact. While more details about this year's market will be announced later, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is accepting vendor applications through Aug. 8. The Market Square project is the cornerstone of a 10-year $600 million revitalization project for Downtown Pittsburgh. The work is slated to be done in April, ahead of Pittsburgh hosting the 2026 NFL Draft. Some estimate the draft will bring at least 300,000 people to Pittsburgh.
CBS News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
10 years on, Picklesburgh remains as popular as ever, organizers say
After a weekend of sweet and sour fun, Picklesburgh 2025 is in the books. The event was expected to bring 250,000 people and millions of dollars in revenue to the city. The question is: How did it go? It's all over but the brine, as in pickle juice. From weather to lines, attendees faced a few challenges, but the man who heads up the effort says while there's always room for improvement, it went as well as could be expected. The annual cavalcade of all things pickle-related saw massive throngs of gherkin and dill-loving attendees take to the streets, hot streets at that. "Standing next to those fryers in line makes it 10 times as hot," Philadelphia resident Heather Wirzberger said. "Mother Nature wasn't very easy on us this year," said Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. Heat aside, the event remains a moneymaker for the city. "A $23 million impact on the region," Waldrup added. For some attending, the crowd size was surprising, as were the lines. "I think everyone who lives in Allegheny County is here," Plum's Lisa Bonacci said. Waldrup told KDKA-TV that the crowds may have seemed a lot thicker because of the following. "Last year, we did it over four days. This year we did it over three." Waldrup says the event was, space-wise, literally the biggest Picklesburgh ever to space out people. "This year it was almost three times larger, clocking in at 1.2 miles." Will it be bigger next year? Waldrup says it's way too early to tell. "We have a lot of notes. I personally like the footprint. We heard it was too long and people didn't want to walk that much," Waldrup said. One thing that everyone seems to agree on is what needs to make a return: the popular pickle-riding attraction. "I will say that mechanical pickle was a hit," Waldrup said.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PITTSBURGH'S "PICKLESBURGH" CELEBRATES 10 YEARS AS AMERICA'S MOST BUZZWORTHY SUMMER FESTIVAL WITH FIRST-EVER MECHANICAL PICKLE RIDE
Quirky grassroots event grows into a national phenomenon, drawing 250,000+ attendees and $23.2 million in economic impact PITTSBURGH, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- What began as a quirky ode to pickled foods has officially become a national phenomenon. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend, Picklesburgh returns to Downtown Pittsburgh, July 11–13, with its most talked about lineup yet, including the debut of a one-of-a-kind mechanical pickle ride. Bucking, spinning, and photo-ready, it's the kind of moment made for headlines and hashtags. "Picklesburgh has always been about more than just pickles – it's about bringing people to Downtown Pittsburgh," said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. "Ten years later, it's become a symbol of what's possible when cities invest in public spaces. We're drawing hundreds of thousands of people Downtown and reminding the country that Pittsburgh is a city on the rise." Since launching in 2015, Picklesburgh has grown more than tenfold, evolving from a quirky weekend celebration into a signature event on Pittsburgh's summer calendar and a major driver of Downtown's economic momentum. The festival has received national recognition from outlets including USA Today, Travel + Leisure, Food Network, Good Morning America, the Today Show,and Delish, and has been named USA Today's Best Specialty Food Festival four times. In 2024, Picklesburgh drew more than 250,000 attendees and generated $23.2 million in direct spending across Downtown restaurants, hotels, shops, and attractions. According to VisitPittsburgh, hotel occupancy Downtown jumped nearly 30 percent during the weekend, with 90 percent of rooms booked, underscoring the festival's growing role in summer tourism and local vitality. A decade of dill-ightful data:In 10 years, Picklesburgh has delivered both fun and financial impact: Nearly 1,000% increase in festival attendance 114% growth in vendor participation 95,000 pickle beers poured 14,000 pickle balloons sold 800 quarts of pickle juice consumed in competition As Pittsburgh continues to revitalize its Downtown, Picklesburgh stands as proof of what's possible when a city leans into its character, and shares it with the world. This year's festival features: The first-ever mechanical pickle ride—a headline-making twist on the classic mechanical bull An expanded footprint stretching across two Sister Bridges, Market Square, PPG Plaza, Allegheny Landing, and Fort Duquesne Boulevard Commemorative 10th anniversary merchandise New pickle-inspired food and beverage creations Family-friendly activities at the Lil Gherkin Kids Area The return of fan favorites like the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest and multiple live music stages Media assets, including photos and video of the mechanical pickle ride, available upon request. For more information, visit About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: Formed by Downtown businesses, professionals, civic organizations, foundations, and residents, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a non-profit community development organization that leads Downtown's transformation with innovative programs that drive growth, vibrancy, and engagement. For more information, visit and follow us on social (@downtownpitt). Contact: Ashlee Wallaceawallace@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership
CBS News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Picklesburgh to debut "pickle riding" attraction as part of 10th anniversary celebration
The Picklesburgh festival is days away from taking over Downtown Pittsburgh, giving pickle lovers the world over all the more reason to explore the three-day extravaganza. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the "dill-lightful" festival, event organizers have announced the debut of the newest attraction. "Pickle riding" will put festivalgoers atop a mechanical bull-style gherkin stationed near PPG Plaza. Tickets can be purchased on site for $12 per ride. Patrons must be at least 18 years old to ride and are required to sign a waiver upon purchasing their ticket. Riders will have time to snap a quick photo before the ride begins. "Just when you thought you've seen it all, Picklesburgh is once again proving that it still has some weird and wonderful surprises up its sleeve for its anniversary," said Jeremy Waldrup, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership president and CEO. "Ten years is a really big dill for us, and we can't think of a better way to mark the occasion than with something as one-of-a-kind as a mechanical pickle." More information about the new ride can be found here. Picklesburgh expands its footprint In 2024 alone, more than 250,000 attendees flocked to Downtown for the festivities, a 1,000% increase in attendance since the inaugural event, according to a press release from event organizers. As Picklesburgh has grown in popularity, the event has evolved from a simple street festival to one that takes over Downtown. This year, the festival will be held on the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol bridges, in Allegheny Landing on the North Shore, along Fort Duquesne Boulevard and a stretch of 6th Street, in the Heinz Hall courtyard, in Market Square, and PPG Plaza.
CBS News
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
This year's Picklesburgh festival will have an expanded layout across Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has announced an expanded layout for this year's upcoming Picklesburgh festival. This year's festival will be held from July 11 to July 13, and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership says the expanded layout will make for "its most ambitious footprint to date." A new location for Picklesburgh When the festival returns this summer for its 10th anniversary, Picklesburgh will be held on the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol bridges, in Allegheny Landing on the North Shore, along Fort Duquesne Boulevard and a stretch of 6th Street, in the Heinz Hall courtyard, in Market Square, and in PPG Plaza. A map shows the new, expanded layout for the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Picklesburgh festival, held annually in Downtown Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership says the expanded footprint will help to support the growth of the event, safety for crowds, and an enhanced festival experience. "Picklesburgh brings tens of thousands of people to Downtown each year, and has raised Pittsburgh's profile as a summer destination," said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. "With this expanded footprint, featuring two of our city's most iconic bridges and beautiful PPG Plaza, we can't wait to DILL-iver the best festival experience possible. As a signature event for Pittsburgh and the region, with fans from near and far, it's exciting to see the festival continue to grow and evolve." Picklesburgh was first held in 2015, and since then, it has become one of the largest festivals in all of the Pittsburgh area. Picklesburgh sees continued growth over a decade What started as a small business celebration and niche festival has become one of the most anticipated events in the city. At the center of it is the Pittsburgh Pickle Company. "We started our company the same year that Picklesburgh began, and the festival's yearly arrival has always kept us on our toes, forcing us to fine-tune our approach and keep things fresh, new, and exciting," said John Patterson, CEO of Pittsburgh Pickle. "Picklesburgh has become a backdrop for the story that is our company. As I've said a thousand times before, there's no more perfect place on the planet than Pittsburgh to start a pickle company. Pickles are made here." Since starting a decade ago, the Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership said that there has been a nearly 1000% increase in attendance, a 114% increase in vendors, 95,000 pickle beers served, 14,000 pickle balloons sold, and 800 quarts of pickle juice consumed. With a new, expanded footprint coming this year, the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel is offering a "Picklesburgh Package" for guests coming into the city for the event. You can learn more on the Picklesburgh website right here.
