Many Point Park students like junior dance major Lacey Baroch look forward to the different events that are held in Market Square throughout the year.
Market Square, sometimes referred to as the heart of Downtown, is currently hosting a series of weekly activities as part of their “Summer in the Square” program.
Sponsored by the Market Square Merchants Association and supported by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, Summer in the Square activities are targeted at people of all ages and include live musical performances throughout the week, kids events and a Farmers Market.
“I have been to the Farmers Market the past two years I’ve lived in Pittsburgh,” Baroch said. “I always get apples when I’m there…there are so many different choices and it is all organic. It’s nice to know where your food is coming from.”
Besides fresh produce, as many as 30 vendors at the Farmers Market also sell an assortment of sweets, bread, herbs, tea, pierogis and arrangements of fresh-cut flowers.
Market Square is known for hosting events and art installations all year long, including the People’s Natural Gas Holiday Market, the Irish Fair in the Square on Saint Patrick’s Day, screenings of Steelers games and more. These events are always family-friendly and often include activities for both children and adults.
Louis Spanos, a junior sports, arts and entertainment management (SAEM) major, is another regular at the Farmers Market. Spanos believes that these events are a vital part of Pittsburgh’s future.
“I think it’s a great idea for these events to be held in Market Square,” Spanos said. “The restaurants are a great draw to the area, but just restaurants aren’t going to continue to drive the development of Downtown.”
As part of Summer in the Square, there are live acoustic performances every Monday from noon to 1 p.m. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh brings a mobile reading room to Market Square every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers a selection of both paperback and hardcover books.
Also on Tuesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. is KidsPlay in the Square, an assortment of programs aimed at preschool-aged children. Mid-week music is every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. and features live bands sponsored by NewsRadio1020 KDKA and Star 100.7. The Farmers Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday.
Summer in the Square runs through the end of October. For a full list of events, times and performances, visit marketsquarepgh.com.
