Destination Westmoreland: A guide to summer events in The Place To Be

Summer days are here again.

We are kicking off the season with a guide to what’s going on.

Destination Westmoreland is the place to be.

C.P. Music Instruction

Grand Opening: Friday, May 31

520 Rugh Street, Greensburg, 724-672-3009, cpmusicpa.com

At C.P. Music Instruction, we believe that learning is a growing process. We’re here to help you develop your abilities, wherever you are in your journey.

Kick off the summer with us on Friday, May 31, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the grand opening for our Greensburg location! This is a free event where families and musicians can check out our new facilities and meet our fantastic staff. Activities include face painting, student performances, kids karaoke, music games and opportunities to try out some instruments.

From July 8 to 12, we’ll be hosting an Elementary Summer Music Camp at our North Huntingdon location. Activities include a variety of musical experiences, music tech, arts and crafts and even some STEAM activities. Full-day and half-day options are available.

For more details on the Summer Music Camp, see cpmusicpa.com/summer-camp.

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Amp Up Your Summer Concert Series at Hempfield Park

June 1 to August 31

Hempfield Park, 220 Forbes Trail Road, hempfieldtwp.com

Looking for something to do on a Saturday night?

Hempfield Township Parks and Recreation offers a free concert series at the Smail Auto Group Amphitheater at Hempfield Park.

This year’s schedule:

June 1: Willow Hill, 7 p.m.

June 8: Pratt & Szallar at 6 p.m., The Cash Out Show at 8 p.m.

June 22: Church Blasko & The Vogues, 7 p.m.

July 6: Jim Donocan and the Sun Kings, 7 p.m.

July 20: Time Machine at 6 p.m., The Andy Davis Band at 7 p.m.

Aug. 3: Sky Pilot, 7 p.m.

Aug. 17: PT Community Band at 6 p.m., PT Jazz Warriors at 7 p.m.

Aug. 31: Sourmash, 7 p.m.

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Westmoreland Performing Arts Summer Camps

Starting June 10

132 S. Main St., Greensburg, 724-672-3322, westmorelandperformingarts.com

It’s time to register for Summer Camps at Westmoreland Performing Arts!

Summer Camp is the unique experience of professional artists teaching their craft to student artists.

There are six camps throughout the summer, with a live performance after each camp.

First Camp: June 10 to 30

Pre-teens: “Everlasting Tuck: The Musical”

Teens: “Grease” (school edition)

Second Camp: July 8 to 28

The musicals, for the pre-teens and teens, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Shooting for the Stars Camp: August 12 to 17

Ages 4 to 7: “A Kid’s Life”

Big Dreamers Broadway Squad: August 12-17

For individuals with special needs and amazing abilities, from 1 to 3 p.m. each day

It’s easy to register: westmorelandperformingarts.com

It’s time to shine. It’s time to have fun. Get on your feet. Find your voice.

You should be here!

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Summer in the City: Downtown Greensburg

Saturday, June 22

Pitt/Penn Parking Lot on South Pennsylvania Avenue, shopgreensburgpa.com/summer-in-the-city

Please join us for our fourth annual Summer in the City event.

On June 22, we begin with a fun-filled day for all ages — all free of charge — from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Featured activities include a pet parade, entertainment, chalk art contest, dunking booth, family activities, raffles and more.

Later that day, we invite you to our Cool Sips in the City from 5 to 8 p.m.

This is a ticketed event, with adult beverage tasting, live music, paint-n-sip, dunking booth, games and karaoke.

Get your tickets here: shopgreensburgpa.com

Plus, there’s always great food, with the local restaurants and bars open as usual.

A variety of food trucks and local foods will be on hand throughout the events.

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Latrobe Fourth of July Celebration

July 4 & 5

Legion Keener Park, latrobecelebration.com

Join us for free and festive fun this Fourth of July holiday, during this two-day event. Featuring a parade, kids activities, color fun walk & run, live music, Warriors Rock concert, veterans activities and so much more.

Celebrate with us!

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Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival

July 4 to 7

Twin Lakes Park, 252 Twin Lakes Road, 724-834-7474, artsandheritage.com

Join us on July 4, 5, 6, and 7, marking the 50th year of the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival! The annual summer festival takes place at Twin Lakes Park, between Greensburg and Latrobe.

Bring your family, bring your friends, bring everyone you know, and spend the day dancing to live music, eating tons of great ethnic foods, and shopping your time away at the fabulous Artist Market.

Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival welcomes one and all to take part in this four-day celebration with free admission. It’s fun for everyone!

Visit our website: artsandheritage.com

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The Shop ‘n Save Westmoreland Airshow

August 17 and 18

148 Aviation Lane, Latrobe, 724-539-8100, westmorelandcountyairshow.com

The Arnold Palmer Regional Airport will host the two-day Westmoreland Airshow on August 17 and 18. This year’s show features the U.S Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jet demo and the Air Force Heritage Flight. The acts include Jerry Conley’s D.H. 115 “Vampire” jet and stunt performers Erik Edgren, the Jersey Jerks, and Scott Francis, along with displays like the C53 “Beach City Baby” and a C-123.

You will be treated to thrilling aerobatic performances with high-energy maneuvers as well as captivating ground displays. So, mark your calendars and prepare to be amazed as the skies come alive with the sight and sound of aviation excellence.

You can pre-order VIP tickets here: westmoreland-county-airshow.square.site

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11th Annual Great American Banana Split Celebration

August 24 and 25

Downtown Latrobe, bananasplitfest.com

Join us for the 11th Annual Great American Banana Split Celebration — Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 in Downtown Latrobe — for a weekend filled with fun activities for all ages. Enjoy delicious food, kids activities, live music, and shopping. Stop by the over-21 area, featuring some of your favorite local breweries, wineries and distilleries.

To see what is happening, visit bananasplitfest.com for the schedule of events, map, parking, and planning your stay.

The Great American Banana Split Celebration — honoring the invention of the Banana Split in Latrobe in 1904 — is amazing fun for the entire family.

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Latrobe Italian Festival

September 7 and 8

Thompson Street, Latrobe City’s First Ward, 512coffeeandicecream.com/latrobe-italian-festival

It’s a weekend for celebrating our Italian-American traditions and supporting small businesses.

The Latrobe Italian Festival on September 7 and 8 is hosted by 512 Coffee and Ice Cream at 512 Ligonier St. (at the corner of Thompson Street).

The festival takes place along Thompson Street. Visitors can enjoy local vendors, food, and beverages, plus live music during the two-day event.

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Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival

September 27, 28 and 29

Mt. Pleasant, mtpleasantglassandethnicfestival.com

A sparkling fall spectacular and a homecoming tradition, the Mt. Pleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival evokes an atmosphere of tradition and happy memories. There is a welcoming feel of comfortable charm for you, our guests, as you stroll the streets that have been transformed into festive walkways.

The “Ethnic” in the festival name comes from the foods that are offered: Mexican, Greek, Italian and Polish. Other events include fireworks, dance performances and musical entertainment from polka bands to jazz groups to country-and-western singers. Strolling musicians entertain the crowd during the day. Parade entries — bands, military units, and floats — march under a banner declaring: Welcome to Mt. Pleasant — It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This.

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Ligonier Country Market

6 Old Lincoln Highway West, Ligonier, ligoniercountrymarket.com

We are open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 8 am to noon.

On Oct. 5 from 11 am to 3 pm, join us for a brand-new event: “Local Eats and Vintage Flair.” We will feature local food trucks and all things antique and vintage.

And it’s market season! Save these dates:

First Night Market: Thursday, June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m., on the Diamond in Ligonier

Harvest Dinner: Saturday, August 10 from 5 to 8 p.m., at Loyalhanna Watershed Farm

Holiday Market: Saturday, Nov. 2, noon to 4 p.m., at the Market Field

For more information, visit us online at ligoniercountrymarket.com. To go directly to the vendor map, click here.

Ligonier Country Market: Make It / Bake It / Grow It

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Fort Ligonier Days: Westmoreland’s Premier Fall Festival

October 11, 12 and 13

120 East Main St., Ligonier, fortligonierdays.com

Fort Ligonier Days draws tens of thousands of visitors each year to the quaint, picturesque town of Ligonier in the beautiful Laurel Highlands. The event commemorates the Battle of Fort Ligonier on Oct. 12, 1758, a key conflict in the French & Indian War.

The three-day event features historic battle reenactments, top-rated juried crafts, delicious foods, local spirits, popular musical entertainment, a grand parade, and a 5K walk/run.

With the backdrop of spectacular fall foliage, a variety of activities are found on the beautiful Ligonier Diamond, throughout the historic town, and at the authentically reconstructed Fort Ligonier and its world-class, recently-renovated, museum.