Welcome Back, Point State Park fountain!

Invitation to the reopening ceremony on Friday night. 

I think it's fair to say that all of Pittsburgh is rejoicing now that the Point State Park fountain is finally complete! After a project that went into the planning stages in 2001, yesterday brought to close a highly anticipated and historical event. The fountain is not only fully renovated, but it's bigger and better than ever. The water from the fountain rises in a column up to 150-feet with smaller columns on the sides. A ceremony, dedication and the first 'official' flip of the switch happened last night to mark the beginning of the Three Rivers Arts Festival and the beginning of a new Pittsburgh.

Although the ceremony started about a half hour late and then at least seven people were asked to speak on behalf of the organizations who made this restoration happen, the fountain went off without any difficulty and made quite the splash on said speakers and other dignitaries thanks to a big gust of wind. Clearly the fountain was just showing them all who everyone really came to see. Good show, fountain.

Entrance way to the Point.

Brass band playing during the beginning of the ceremony.

Color guard during the National Anthem, sung by the CLO Mini-Stars.

In case you wondered what 150 feet of water looks like.

After the ceremony, the Arts Fest, also being held through the rest of the week at Point State Park, officially started. More to come about that on Tuesday. And as the sun went down over the city, a light show on the fountain began.

The Pittsburgh-based company, Lightwave International, debuted "Pittsburgh: Spectral Ascending" a collaboration with artist, Yvette Mattern. The light installation consists of six laser projectors on the top of PPG Place, aimed right to the center column of the fountain. The light installation will be show again tonight and Sunday night, so you still have a chance to make it out and see the new plaza area around the fountain, as well as the fountain itself and the light show, all while enjoying all of the fun that comes with the Arts Fest as well.

Photo by my beautiful friend, Breanna Elison.

Waiting for the light show to begin. Photo by Breanna Elison.

Isn't this such a fantastic photo? Lights on top of PPG Place beaming down to the fountain. Photo by Breanna Elison.

Lights on the fountain. Perfect ending to a beautiful night. Photo by Breanna Elison.

For my out of town readers, you may be asking why a fountain is so important. But it's not just any old fountain. Point State Park, and this fountain specifically, are the point were the three iconic rivers of Pittsburgh meet. Basically, where all the rivers merge into each other is the spot where the fountain is placed. The layout of Pittsburgh is obvious because of this point and the scenery of the city just didn't look complete for the past few years without the fountain adding to the view. It's a tourist attraction and a local favorite.

And as one of the speakers said, Pittsburgh is no longer a city in transformation, it is a city transformed. Or something close to that. The rebuilding and unveiling of the Point fountain just brings that idea home. We've waited for this to be back and now we can enjoy it for many years to come. It is as iconic as our bridges and adds that missing element to our landscape. Welcome back, fountain!

It's Christmas Time in the City

Living in downtown Pittsburgh, as I have mentioned before, is an experience that I treasure dearly. And being able to do so during this time of Renaissance for the city is something I will remember forever. Here are some great activities going on around downtown that your whole family can cherish and take part in during this final week before Christmas.

Logo credit: Peoples Holiday Market.

This year marks the 1st Annual Peoples Gas Holiday Market, right here in Market Square. The Holiday Market was inspired by the original Christkindlemarket created in 1545 in Nuremberg, Germany and the Christkindlmarket in Chicago, and it is quite the little treat in the city. I love walking through the square everyday and now that it's filled with European-styled wooden chalets with different handmade crafts inside each one, I am just in awe by these beautiful products each time I walk through. This is just such a breath of fresh air (literally, because you're outside) from the rushed feel of the malls and major chain stores during the time of year that is supposed to be the most peaceful. Also, the Holiday Market features music and dance talents from around the area each day and is honestly the perfect place to pick up some last minute gifts for anyone on your list. The Market, which of course has special gifts and performers also has Santa's House to meet and give Santa your child's finely edited, last-minute wish list and is open seven days a week until December 23rd.

While your family can also enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides and ice skating at PPG Place, don't forget about also stepping inside for a minute to get warm, and to see the Spirits of Giving Around the World Exhibit and the 10th Annual Gingerbread House and Train Display. The Spirits of Giving Around the World is so interesting to see and read about how different nations celebrate Christmas and how Santa Clause looks (and what his name is) in each of those places. The gingerbread houses are made by local groups and divided up and awarded by age and has become my favorite part of Christmas time in Pittsburgh because I love the creativity displayed by the kids who make these houses.

Photo credit: Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.

Also going on downtown until December 30th is a holiday favorite, presented by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. I'm sure you can guess that I'm talking about The Nutcracker, going on now at Benedum Center. And just across the Monongahela River from downtown at the Gateway Clipper Fleet are Santa Fun cruises on December 22nd and 23rd. These cruises are great for the whole family, especially your youngest Christmas lovers because multiple characters, along with Santa himself, ride the boat filled with toys, balloons, pictures, ornaments and other treats for a great afternoon along the rivers.

Whatever your plans are, try to make it to the city for one or more of these great events! Everything going on now is family friendly and gives you a wonderful reason to come out and enjoy this beautiful city. Even if you just decide to walk around downtown, you will not be disappointed. The city is so gorgeous right now with Christmas lights and decorations all over and is really a sight to see ans enjoy.

It's the holiday season!

Photo of the rink and tree at PPG Place, compliments of my friend Tina.

Well, it's officially Christmas time in Pittsburgh! Light Up Night illuminated downtown this past weekend and it's now beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Cue music. I'm not really a fan of celebrating Christmas before giving Thanksgiving its own time, but I have to admit, the city does look good, and bright. This was the first year that I was able to be downtown for the festivities (even though I've lived downtown for two years now), so I never realized just how much was going on. In years past, I was either working at the Gateway Clipper, Victoria's Secret or was on the Gateway Clipper as a guest, so I had no idea that basically everyone in Pennsylvania, was downtown. Though I assumed as much.

However, the only thing I was interested in this year were the fireworks. I have been obsessed with fireworks for as long as I can remember. So, after a birthday dinner with the family for Eric's 25th, I met up with some friends to watch the fireworks from the Clemente Bridge. For future reference, the Gateway Clipper gives the greatest fullest view of the fireworks display.

Along with the fireworks there were bands performing in Market Square, the unveiling of the Macy's Christmas window displays, ice sculptures, a great parade, of course the lighting of the PPG Place rink and tree and traffic, traffic and more traffic. Sigh. Welcome to the Christmas season! If you've got some time this season and you're in the area, you should seriously come downtown for some winter fun. And anyone who can talk MJ into going ice-skating with me at PPG will win a major award! Yes, a major award just like in A Christmas Story. Last year I didn't get to go because I was preparing for knee surgery, this year, I am healed and ready to get my skate on! Also, here are some poor quality phone pictures for you to enjoy!

Ohhhhhh...

Ahhhhhh...

The Clemente Bridge with thousands of other people.

The bubble Christmas tree in Market Square. My favorite!