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5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 15-17 | TribLIVE.com
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5 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend: Oct. 15-17

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop
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Courtesy of the National Aviary
The National Aviary on the North Side is hosting Owl-O-Ween Oct. 16-17.
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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review
Dean Murray of Dallas, Oregon carves a wizard for the Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival on Oct. 14. The event is Oct. 16-17 in the Strip District.
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Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
ZooBoo, a kid-friendly Halloween event, is Oct. 16-17 at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in Highland Park.
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Courtesy of Jeni Benz Photography
There will be 34 brewers at the 14th annual Steel City Big Pour on Oct. 16 at Construction Junction in Point Breeze.
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Actress/singer Rita Wilson will perform at Women Who Rock on Oct. 16 at Stage AE on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

We’ve arrived at the weekend. Here are a few things going on in Pittsburgh.

Monster Pumpkins

Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at a new location — in the Strip District, on Railroad Street between 28th Street and 29th Street. Known as The Stacks at 3 Crossings, the area will be full of decorated giant pumpkins, including three that weigh more than 2,000 pounds. The largest pumpkin grown in North America, according to organizers, is 2,365 pounds and was grown by Andy Wolf of Little Valley, N.Y. The display will feature medieval carving of dragons, soldiers and castle walls. At the entrance are two wall displays with 1,200 pumpkins tied together and decorated.

There will be a pumpkin pie eating contest and carriage rides by Misty Lane Farms Performance Horses with a reservation. Artists from Vessel Studio Glass will demonstrate glass blowing by making fall-themed pieces.

The event is free.

Details: monsterpumpkins.com

ZooBoo

ZooBoo, a kid-friendly Halloween event, is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in Highland Park.

Kids can trick-or-treat throughout the zoo, check out a not-so-scary haunt spot and create creepy crafts.

Children are invited to dress in costume and participate in a parade and dance, and enter a costume contest. Guests will see the animals enjoying treats.

Tickets are $16.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors and $14.95 for children. Children 2 and under are free.

Details: www.pittsburghzoo.org

Rock on

The “Women Who Rock” event is at 7 p.m. Saturday at Stage AE on the North Shore. Rita Wilson, Sheila E, Orianthi, Lauren Monroe (with special guest Rick Allen of Def Leppard), Jackie Popovec with the Vindys and DJ Femi will perform.

The evening will be emceed by Pittsburgh’s own woman of rock, WDVE disc jockey Michele Michaels.

The evening of music benefits Magee-Womens Research Institute. Funds raised can continue research that covers women from in vitro through adulthood and into their senior years.

National and local musicians will perform, including the winner of the Rising Star Contest, held to help the next generation of female singer/songwriters.

The event is in partnership with guitar maker Gibson and its nonprofit Gibson Gives.

Tickets are $50-$250. Proof of covid-19 vaccination required.

Details: womenwhorock.info

Owl-O-Ween

The National Aviary on the North Side is hosting Owl-O-Ween this weekend. Guests will receive a goody bag with an owl-themed take-home craft kit and an opportunity to meet an owl.

Artist Maria DeSimone Prascak will host a portrait painting class

Face masks are required.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors, $14.95 for children. Children 2 and under are free.

The Aviary’s ornithologist Bob Mulvihill will go on twilight treks from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Frick Park on Saturday and Wingfield Pines in Upper St. Clair on Sunday, teaching how to look and listen for owls, learn about their habitats, adaptations, and behaviors. Registration is required. Cost is $20.

Details: aviary.org

Big Pour

The 14th annual Steel City Big Pour is from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Construction Junction in North Point Breeze.

The festival will feature 34 brewers. It’s a fundraiser for Construction Junction, a nonprofit warehouse supplying surplus construction materials and appliances at reduced prices.

There will be artists from Pittsburgh-based Monmade, a regional marketplace, and an art installation of live glass blowing through a mobile glass studio of Pittsburgh Glass Center from the Friendship/Garfield neighborhoods.

Tickets are $99.

Details: cjreuse.org

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.

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