Three Rivers Arts Festival expanding plans in response to lifting of covid restrictions
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The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is adjusting its plans in response to the ending of mass gathering restrictions effective at the end of the month, expanding its footprint into Point State Park and nixing plans to require timed tickets for entry.
The 10-day event will be offered in a hybrid format, with art and music available in-person and online, from June 4 through June 13.
“We were so excited, and a little surprised, to hear that the mandates were going to be lifted as of Memorial Day,” said Sarah Aziz, director of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival and director of festival management for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
With those restrictions lifting, she said, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust was able to revamp plans for the Arts Festival, making it much more similar to the festivals held in pre-pandemic years.
The biggest change, Aziz said, was moving the Dollar Bank Main Stage back to Point State Park, where it was for past festivals. Previous plans involved having that stage in the Byham Theater, where it would be easier to manage capacity.
Acts performing on the stage at Point State Park include Celisse on June 4, Bassel & the Supernaturals on June 5, Rayland Baxter on June 6, Shemekia Copeland on June 11, Caroline Rose on June 12 and Son Little on June 13.
“We’re super excited to have the Dollar Bank Main Stage back in the park and those six great major acts to perform for much larger audiences,” Aziz said.
Food vendors and Artist Market booths will also be set up at Point State Park.
The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival will have a footprint in the Cultural District, though it’s different than past years, Aziz said.
Because of lifted restrictions, guests will not be required to use the CLEAR Health Pass app or reserve tickets in advance. The festival will be free and open to the public.
Having the festival in an expanded format “means everything” to those at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Aziz said.
“This is what we do,” she said. “We are in the business of mass gatherings in arts and entertainment. The past 14 months have been a challenge. There’s definitely been silver linings, but this is our bread and butter. This is what the PCT does. This is what the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival is — it’s the unofficial start of summer.”
The Artist Market will feature over 150 independent artists selling an array of handmade fine art and fine crafts. Artist Market booths will be located at the Benedum Lot, Trust Oasis and Allegheny Overlook Pop-up Park, along with booths at Point State Park. There will be two sessions, with the first round of artists selling items from June 4 through June 8, and the second group from June 9 through June 13.
The booths at the Point State Park location are only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“Artists have really taken a hit,” Aziz said. “To have them out, to have them selling their beautiful art — we’re just so excited.”
Over 200 artists from around the country will be participating virtually.
Another addition to this year’s festival is a mural along Fort Duquesne Boulevard created by Janel Young, a Pittsburgh painter and muralist whose work has been internationally recognized. Young’s mural, a project in partnership with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, is in progress now and will be completed by May 31.
Dance and music performances will be held throughout each day of the festival at the Riverside Stage at Allegheny Overlook Pop-Up Park, located on Fort Duquesne Boulevard between Stanwix and Seventh Streets.
Though the festival will look much more normal than anticipated, there will still be covid-19 precautions, Aziz said. Guests will still be asked to wear masks and abide by social distancing measures. Staff, volunteers and artists will use the CLEAR Health Pass app daily.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep everyone safe and healthy and also have a great time,” Aziz said.
Aziz said she does not anticipate their typical crowds, which could number in the hundreds of thousands. But she said she would expect tens of thousands of people visiting the festival over the span of 10 days.
For those who are still wary of crowded settings, Aziz said the festival is typically less crowded on weekday afternoons. Virtual offerings are also available.
Information about other in-person and virtual exhibitions and activities, along with a map of the festival’s footprint and other details are available on the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s website.