Freedom Harvest Celebration

Celebrate freedom and unity

Freedom Harvest Fest

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy's Freedom Harvest Fest is an annual celebration honoring the importance of crops that freedom seekers used during their perilous journey to freedom. This day of remembrance symbolizes unity, community, and music—a true celebration of freedom and the abundance of the harvest season.  

Freedom Harvest Fest 2025

Saturday, September 6, 2025

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. @ The Frick Environmental Center

Join us for a free, community celebration, promoting unity, freedom, and the harvest season. The inspiration for the event is the Frick Environmental Center's From Slavery to Freedom Garden, which showcases crops that were invaluable to people seeking freedom, like peanuts, green onions, and raspberries, and that were often used along their journey for nutritional, medicinal, and symbolic purposes. 

Dandelions, the inspiration for the event's logo, not only promoted digestion and fought inflammation, but were symbolic because they grow in a variety of environments, even in difficult or neglected conditions. This plant is a symbol of endurance and resilience

Freedom Harvest unites the community with soulful music from live performers, a variety of culinary delights from local food and beverage vendors, and festivities the whole family can enjoy. Additionally, families can enjoy a variety of interactive activities, including garden tours 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.

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. Please join us in solidarity at this vibrant community celebration of freedom. 

No registration is required for the main event. This event is part of the Allegheny Regional Asset District's RAD Days.

For any questions regarding disability accommodations or accessibility, email Tress at tbelesi@pittsburghparks.org or call 412.586.4576 ext. 117

Click on the button to view and print our social story for Freedom Harvest Fest 2025.

2025 AGENDA

Eats and Treats:

  • Brazilian cuisine by Mercearia Brasil
  • Dim Sum by Pittsburgh Dumplingz
  • 412 Ice Cream Truck
  • 11th Hour Brewing
  • 1:11 Juice Bar
  • Urban Trail Coffee Co.

Musical Performances

Enjoy a lively lineup of live musicians on the Zero Fossil Solar Stage!

  • Tony Campbell Quartet (jazz) 
  • The KRUNK Movement & COL Jazz (hip-hop)
  • Clara Kitongo (reggae)
  • DJ Supa C (turntables)

Activities with Community Partners:

  • BOOM Concepts
  • Buzzword
  • Outdoor Inclusion Coalition
  • Pittsburgh Park Rangers
  • Pittsburgh Resources Council
  • The Frick Pittsburgh
  • Heinz History Center
  • 412 Food Rescue
  • Carnegie Science Center
  • Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
  • Beanie Paints
  • Soil Sisters
  • Maxo Vanka Murals
  • Tree Pittsburgh 

We encourage Freedom Harvest Fest attendees to take public transportation, carpool with friends, or bike to the event.  

Freedom Harvest Tabling
FREEDOM HARVEST ACTIVITES
Harvest Fest Website (3)
53983140890 00e06f3724 O (2)
53982955688 126caba934 O (1)
53983140955 D12ca7895a O
53982711371 7612028b12 O
53981818817 B35ef1634e O (1)
53982954968 E6e5e3e040 O
53983141225 D9007f95d2 O

This event is part of the Allegheny Regional Asset District's RAD Days.