Summer's Last Stand in The Square

We're not ready to pull the plug on summer just yet. But the end is near. Just look at all those back to school ads, earlier sunsets and even some leaves on the trees are turning brown. Of course, there's plenty going on in Market Square, even after Fall descends upon us. Still, we wanted to remind you that time is winding down to enjoy a few of our programs in the Square. So get ready to catch these great events.


KidsPlay: Only two more play dates left in the Square for the youngsters. This Friday, Pittsburgh's own Macaroni Kids drops by the Square with the good folks from UPMC, who run the CHIP health care program for youngsters. While the Macaroni Kid team dishes out the inside scoop on where parents can get great deals on family meals, vacations and other child-related matters, the CHIP crew offers the perfect prescription on delivering vital health care services for children whose families might be struggling to make ends meet.

To close out KidsPlay for the year on August 19, That Guy With The Birds returns for an encore performance of his wonderfully wacky and talented winged friends. Always a treat for kids and grownups, That Guy With the Bird's fine feathered friends are guaranteed to put on a show that soars.

For a bit of Mid-Week Music in the Square, a trio of Wednesday noontime concerts remain, kicking off this week with the Sun Kings and finishing out on August 24, when the Lava Game performs under the Square's performance tent.


Thursdays in the Square: Don't worry. The Farmer's Market will continue to set up shop in the Square until almost Thanksgiving. But if you've got the music in you, there are only two more Thursday free concerts on tap. First up is The Whiskey Holler this Thursday at noon to play their raucous version of roots rock ’n’ roll.

And to close out this summer's set is Emily Pinkerton, who strums a delicious fusion of  South American and bluegrass on her banjo and guitar. An incredible talent, Emily's appeared at the hip SXSW festival in Austin and played on NPR. Don't miss this fantastic finale.


Sweatin'  in the Square: If you're still trying to shed a few pounds for those new fall fashions, you can sweat away a few calories during the PNC Y's last three free exercise sessions in the Square. These free al fresco workouts, every Friday from noon- 1p.m. are a great way to shape up in the great outdoors and soak up a few of those rays during these dog days of summer.  It's also a chance to try something new, with a different type of exercise each week.

There's still some sizzle left in this summer.  And several programs run later into the Fall: the Farmers Market, Tuesday Reading Room and music at Monday lunches and Friday happy hours from the Market Square Merchants Association.

As always, we want to thank all our great sponsors who've made summer in the Square so much fun this year:

• Farmers Market Sponsor — Renewal by Andersen
• Supporting Market Sponsors — First Niagra and Back to Nature
• Kidsplay Media Partner —WISH 99.7FM
• Thursday Concerts Media Partner —City Paper