Saturday, October 7, 2023 | |
It's Festival of Combustion day at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, an event centered around the landmark site's iron-making legacy. | |
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A Season of Celebration
Today's the day—it's time for the Festival of Combustion! Come on by the Carrie Blast Furnaces between 1:00 and 9:00 p.m. for this celebration of creativity, craft, and camaraderie.
The Festival is literally a hot affair, so a few years ago we moved the event into October to make being around 2800-degree molten iron a bit more comfortable for the foundry team—while also making this celebration undeniably a fall festival. We were going to put together a list for you of our favorite fall festivities, but Good Food Pittsburgh and Visit Pittsburgh already assembled solids lists, making our job easier. Still, we selected a couple of Things to Do in the Heritage Area from our community partners that we think you'll like.
If you didn't know, one of the ways we partner with communities in our region is through grantmaking. Our Mini-Grant Program assists heritage-related sites and organizations as well as municipalities within the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area to develop new and innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, and other initiatives. Help us spread the word that it is now time to apply for the next round of grants.
In addition to a few upcoming metal arts workshops, we'll also be hosting the closing reception for Gledaj! The Gaze of Maxo Vanka this month, in partnership with the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka, on October 26. If you haven't yet seen this exhibition, this will be your last chance. Read more about it in this article from Belt Magazine.
You can view these events and more on our events page.
That's it for today. We hope to see you this afternoon!
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Riders along the Steel Valley Trail, which received a Mini-Grant in 2022. Photo courtesy of Bryan Perry. | |
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RIVERS OF STEEL NEWS
Time to Apply to the Mini-Grant Program
Application Deadline: November 15, 2023
| Rivers of Steel is currently accepting applications for its Mini-Grant Program, which assists heritage-related sites and organizations, as well as municipalities, within the borders of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. The Mini Grants may be used to develop new and innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, and other initiatives that are consistent with the mission and vision outlined in Rivers of Steel’s Management Action Plan. | |
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METAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Scratch Block Aluminum Casting
Sunday, October 15, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop in Rices Landing, Greene County
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Explore the metal-casting process and step back in time at W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop! Rivers of Steel’s experienced metal-casting team will help you create your own design, then you can step back and watch as the metal team pours molten aluminum into your mold. You’ll be able to take your casting home at the end of the workshop. | |
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METAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Aluminum Casting Session
Monday, October 16, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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This is your chance to create a unique work of art from aluminum. Using everyday materials, you’ll create a one-sided design in resin-bonded sand. While your mold sets, you'll get a brief tour of the Carrie Furnaces before returning to watch as Rivers of Steel’s foundry crew casts your artwork from molten metal. It's a great introduction to the metal-casting process—no experience necessary! | |
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EXHIBITION
Gledaj! The Gaze of Maxo Vanka Closing Reception
Thursday, October 26, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., The Bost Building
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Join Rivers of Steel and the Society to Preserve the Millvale Murals of Maxo Vanka for a public reception in the Bost Building’s upper gallery. Sign up for the free event. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Read more about the exhibition in this article from Belt Magazine, "Maxo Vanka's Radical Gaze."
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BLACKSMITHING WORKSHOP
Bladesmithing 1
A three-day workshop, October 23 – 25, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Spend some real time with the forge! Focused on forging techniques, this three-day workshop features the instruction and extended shop time needed to produce a sharp-edged tool made from high-carbon steel. Learn the fundamental skills required to forge a blacksmithing knife with scroll handle from a single piece of steel. After three sessions, you'll leave with your very own hand-forged knife! | |
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THINGS TO DO IN THE RIVERS OF STEEL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
Fort Ligonier Days
October 13 – 15, Fort Ligonier, Ligonier, PA in Westmoreland County
| Fort Ligonier Days brings the historic site to life with reenactors, artillery firings, historical demonstrations, bagpipe music and more to commemorate the historic October 12, 1758 Battle of Fort Ligonier. French and Indian War reenactors portray the battle that changed world history with colorful pageantry, crackling musketry and cannon fire! Visit the museum and try food inspired by 18th-century soldiers' rations. | |
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THINGS TO DO IN THE RIVERS OF STEEL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
The Pumpkin Patch Trolley
October 20 – 22, PA Trolley Museum, Washington, PA in Washington County
| Visitors are invited to experience the fall season with rides on trolleys at the PA Trolley Museum! Ride to the Trolley Display building where you can tour the large collection of trolleys. Children can select a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and then take it to the events room where they will be able to decorate it. Each purchase of a child’s ticket includes a pumpkin. There will be children’s games and complimentary fall-themed refreshments. | |
Help preserve our region’s industrial and cultural heritage! Your tax-deductible contribution will help ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.
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