The Best of 2010 in Market Square

Since the first week of 2011 is in the history books, let's take a look back at the Best of Market Square in 2010. While our list of top events certainly puts the reopening of the Square in the Number One spot, the rest of the best don't fall into any particular order — except for making 2010 one of the best years ever for the Square. Okay, here we go.

The Square Reopens: Sure, it seemed like a long time. But when the Mayor and enough other dignitaries to fill up Times Square cut the ribbon to officially reopen it, it was well worth the wait.

Here Comes the Bride: We broke out the super-sized box of tissues when Andrea Gault and Koy Lopez tied the knot in the Square this past August. The bride and groom traded "I do's" under picture-perfect summer skies in biggest open-air chapel in town.

Zombie-palooza: No, it wasn't a remake of "Night of the Living Dead," but more than 4,000 happily "undead" filled the Square in their most gruesome Sunday best for Zombie Fest.

Down on the Farm: After being transplanted to Gateway Center during construction, the Farmers Market returned to the Square in 2010 with the freshest, home-grown produce around, plus lots of other goodies from pastries to local wines.

Holiday Highlights: Every night during the 2011 year-end holidays was a little brighter in the Square as the inaugural Season of Lights display twinkled and blinked away. Designed by Blachere Illuminations and generously sponsored by the Colcom Foundation, more than 150,000 LEDs adorned buildings, lamp posts and the centerpiece 33-feet tall sphere tree. This instant favorite de-"lighted" holiday revelers all season long.   

A Real Bumper Crop: Before they raced ’round the Oval in Schenley, the Vintage Grand Prix roadsters made a pit stop in the Square to impress antique auto lovers with their classy chassis.

Totally Toyota: Fresh from the fields, the Toyota Farm to Table Tour rolled into the Square to showcase the abundance found close to Pittsburgh with eight local celebrity chefs who whipped up al fresco Square meals using ingredients supplied by our very own Farmers Market.

Pens Central: Hundreds of Penguins fans flocked to the Square for to cheer on the Sid, Marc and all their favorite hockey heroes for the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. Though the Pens got the short end of the hockey stick in the game, the rally was a winner.

Golden Opportunity: A Pittsburgh tradition for a half century, the Square was at the heart of the 2010 50th Anniversary of Light Up Night, a special two-day celebration that featured food, fireworks, marching bands, a horse-drawn carriage parade, the second wedding of the year and much merrymaking to usher in the holiday season. 

Rock the Block: Downtown residents from all over congregated in the Square for the 2010 Neighborhood Block Party in the Square. Under the clear skies of a soft fall evening, 1,500 neighbors chatted as they tasted and sipped the best dishes of eateries in the Square. 

Happy Holidays n'at, yunz guys: It was jingle bells all the way around the Square as Joe Gruschecky, Donnie Iris, Rick Witkowski and other local rockers made merry during the WDVE Holiday Party. With morning show hosts Jim Krenn and Randy Baumann hosting the bash, Pittsburghers caught the spirit of the season with a dose of holiday tunes played rock ’n’ roll style. 



 We want to thank everyone who helped make 2010 one of the best years ever for Market Square. And we hope to see you all there in 2011 for even more fun.