Pgh Earth Day 2016 (1)The second annual Pittsburgh Earth Day celebration, now an official part of the global Earth Day Network, will take place April 21st-24th, 2016. In honor of Pittsburgh’s bicentennial, this year’s theme Steel to Sustainable will celebrate the City’s rich steel history, honor today’s green innovations, and plan for a more sustainable future.

On Thursday, April 21st, Pittsburgh Earth Day will kick off with Ecolution, an eco-fashion show at the Fairmont Pittsburgh. Guests will enjoy an evening of music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a runway show highlighting recycled and reused materials. Crafted exclusively for Pittsburgh Earth Day by local designers, the eco-fashions will be entered to win one of four award stipends provided by Larrimors for the most creative costume. With each VIP ticket sold, attendees will receive a complimentary membership to the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Friday, April 22nd is recognized worldwide as Earth Day. Locally, Pittsburgh Earth Day will begin with a press conference in the City County Building showcasing a Steel to Sustainable video sponsored by UPMC Health Plan. In celebration of Pittsburgh’s Bicentennial, steel artifacts honoring Pittsburgh’s past will be on display, courtesy of Rivers of Steel.

Following the press conference, the Pittsburgh Earth Day Business Breakfast will take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The breakfast will be moderated by John Valentine, President of the Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corporation. The breakfast will feature a panel of innovators discussing the current climate of green industries in Pittsburgh including speakers from Millcraft Investments, Terra Building Group, UPMC Health Plan, Chatham University and Duquesne University.

Downtown Pittsburgh will flourish with activities from 11AM-2PM, including the Pittsburgh Earth Day Food Truck Festival run on solar power on 10th Street along the West wing of the Convention Center and a Lunchtime Concert in Mellon Square Park. Paint the Square Green will take place in Market Square from 11AM-5PM featuring local vendors specializing in Earth-friendly products and services, along with organic and transportation vendors, and a Wellness Corner sponsored by UPMC Health Plan. Then from 5PM-9PM, the City will be invited back to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for an Art and Local Showcase hosting an evening of music, curated art exhibit featuring local artists, organic and handmade vendors and activities for all ages. All events on April 22nd are free and open to the public.

The Pittsburgh Earth Day celebration continues through the weekend. In honor of Pittsburgh’s steel past, the Steel to Sustainable Festival will take place on Saturday April 23rd from 7PM-11PM at the Carrie Blast Furnaces at the former U. S. Steel Homestead Works. Ticket sales will benefit Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. The event will feature local food, craft beer, live music and the Hard Hat Art Project in honor of the 100th anniversary of the hard hat.

The final event in the 2016 celebration will propel the City into further eco-consciousness for years to come. On Sunday, April 24th, the Pittsburgh Earth Day TEDxPittsburgh Brunch will feature local TEDx speakers sharing talks that promote the future of sustainability in Pittsburgh and beyond. Sales from the brunch will benefit TEDxPittsburgh: Ideas Worth Sharing.