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Celebrate Freedom and Unity at the Pittsburgh Park Conservancy’s First-Ever Freedom Harvest Celebration

Part of RAD Days, this family-friendly event at the Frick Environmental Center honors history, culture, and the harvest season with music, food, and fun for all ages.

PITTSBURGH – AUGUST 7, 2024 – The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is thrilled to announce its first-ever Freedom Harvest Celebration, a vibrant celebration at the Frick Environmental Center's (FEC) From Slavery to Freedom Garden. This event, part of the Allegheny Regional Asset District's RAD Days, will take place on Saturday, September 7, and offers a unique opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate freedom, history, and the harvest season.

The Freedom Harvest Celebration is a free, all-ages, family-friendly event highlighting the rich history and significance of the From Slavery to Freedom Garden. Based at the FEC, the garden showcases plants and vegetables that freedom seekers used for nourishment and medicine on their perilous journey north to freedom. September is a particularly poignant time to hold this event, as it marks International Underground Railroad Month, commemorating the escapes of iconic figures such as Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

From 1:00 to 4:00 PM, attendees can immerse themselves in engaging outdoor and nature-based activities. The event will feature live musical performances from talented local musicians, offering a soulful soundtrack to the day's festivities. Culinary delights will be available for purchase from local food and beverage vendors.

Families can enjoy various interactive activities, including a garden tour tasting session and history hikes that weave tales of the past, face painting, and lawn games. The event will also host several community organizations, offering table activities and crafts to enrich the experience. Advance registration is required for those who want to participate in the garden tour and tasting.

"Parks play a crucial role in our communities as welcoming hubs where people from all walks of life can come together," said James Brown, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's Director of Education and the Frick Environmental Center. "The Freedom Harvest Celebration at the From Slavery to Freedom Garden embodies this spirit, offering a space where we can collectively honor our past, celebrate the present, and build a future rooted in inclusivity and shared heritage."

The From Slavery to Freedom Garden, created in partnership with the Heinz History Center, is a powerful space dedicated to educating visitors on the historical significance of African American agricultural practices and the journey from enslavement to freedom. It serves as a living testament to the resilience and ingenuity of African Americans throughout history, making it a fitting centerpiece for this celebration.

RAD Days is an annual celebration offering free admission to various cultural and recreational facilities in the Pittsburgh area.

"RAD Days are for everyone, our way to say 'thank you' to taxpayers for their support of our regional assets," said Dusty Elias Kirk, Board Chair of the Allegheny Regional Asset District. "We're proud to support an event that puts inclusion at the forefront, and we hope families mark their calendars for this opportunity at Frick Environmental Center, a newly-funded asset for 2024."

The Freedom Harvest Celebration is made possible thanks to the generosity of the presenting sponsor, The Jack Buncher Foundation, and additional support from Giant Eagle, RAD, and ZeroFossil.

For more information about the Freedom Harvest Celebration, visit pittsburghparks.org/harvestcelebration.

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About Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: 
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization, the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve the city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $145 million and completed 23 major park improvement projects. The Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually.

 

Contact: Alana Wenk

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

412-527-0020

awenk@pittsburghparks.org