Meet Me In The Square

Frankly, we're not surprised one bit at what's happening. After all, everything is turning out exactly as we planned. But just in case you haven't noticed just yet, Market Square is quickly turning into Downtown's newest place for people to get together in groups both small and large.

Just the other day, on our morning stroll through the Square, we noticed a group of ladies sipping coffee and chatting about their weekend. And, of course, the Downtown office lunch time crowd swarmed to the new Square almost as soon as we pulled away the construction fences. We expected that to happen all along. Still, since the Square reopened earlier this year, we've cried at a wedding, partied with our neighbors at a block party and admired the antique autos of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix when they parked their classic chassis in the Square.

Now this past weekend, the Salvation Army set up camp in the Square for an event that really put the "fun" in fundraiser. Based on TV's "The Amazing Race," the Army held "The Most Amazing Race" ever that pitted teams against each other to see who could tackle hilarious challenges such as eating a sardine sandwich at Primanti's on the Square — with their  hands tied behind their backs — and learn and perform a "Give My Regards to Broadway" song and dance routine taught by performers from the CLO to get the clue to their next location. While the competition was tight, Team Shankopotamus outpaced the pack with only a few minutes separating the next few racers from the winners. Actually, all the teams were champs because their efforts will help our neighbors in the region through the great work of the Salvation Army.

Even our neighbors just off the Square are busy bees - Wednesday through Saturday evenings this week you can catch live Jazz in Andys Bar at the Fairmont Pittsburgh, just a hop skip and a jump down Market Street which will be finished with construction in no time (just you wait till this rain let's up and watch how fast they move!).

And don't forget that local foodies will be flocking to the Square through Thanksgiving to enjoy fresh from the farm vegetables, meats, cheeses and other naturally produced goodies at the weekly Thursday Farmers Market. This harvest of wholesome foods is a perennial Pittsburgh favorite.

We can't spill all the beans just yet. But there are more big gatherings planned for the Square in the months ahead. One of the biggest to-dos of the year in the Square will be the 50th Anniversary Light Up Night Celebration, which is so big this year that we expanded it to two nights on November 19 and 20. And our inside sources tell us that gatherings of Steelers fans, zombies, politicians and brides and grooms are in the near future as well.

So stayed tuned for details. And we'll meet you in the Square...soon.