Free and Affordable Pittsburgh for 5/11: Free Flowery Fun
Lawrenceville Blossom Tour
Various participating businesses between 35th and 56th Streets
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 621-1616
lvpgh.com/2012-lawrenceville-blossom-tour
Date: Saturday, May 12 & Sunday, May 13, 2012
Hours: During regular business hours
Price: Free to attend
Lawrenceville's Annual Blossom Tour is a celebration of spring, and showcases the best of what Lawrenceville has to offer in terms of local goods and services. There are about 24 stops on the tour this year stretching approximately 20 blocks down Butler Street. Not to worry - Green Gears Pedicabs will also be offering free rides through the Lawrenceville area from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day on a first come first serve basis. At each stop on the tour, there is a different variety of free seed packets, in addition to special events, demonstrations and samples. What a fun way to spend Mother's Day! You'll find a map of the tour listing participating businesses here. Some cool events include free cupcake decorating lessons at Dozen Bake Shop, Free Mommy & Me Yoga Classes at Shining Light Prenatal, free bowling passes from Arsenal Bowl, and even wine samples and cocktail cookies at The Allegheny Wine Mixer!
Avalon Apple Blossom Festival
On California Avenue
In front of the Borough Hall & Trinity Lutheran Church
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
(412) 761-5820
www.boroughofavalon.org
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free to attend
Here's another fun way to celebrate Spring! Avalon is hosting their Apple Blossom Festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They'll have a large Chinese auction, a plant sale, crafters, a used book sale, a bake sale, and live entertainment. If that wasn't enough, they'll have a quilt exhibit by Piecing It Together along with other crafts. There's great fun for kids as well, including games, crafts & activities... including an inflatable for kids ages 5 and up. They can also meet the Pirate Parrot from noon until 1 p.m., although that doesn't just have to be for kids! In addition to food vendors, you can also check out the pie eating contest at 12:45 p.m.. For the car fans, there's also a car cruise featuring a DJ spinning oldies, dash plaques for the first 50 cruisers, and cash prizes for "Best of Show."
Friendship Flower and Folk Festival
Baum Grove at the intersection of Harriet, Fairmount & Roup
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 441-6147
friendship-pgh.org
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free to attend
This rain or shine free event is laid-back and family friendly. Organized as a fundraiser for Friendship residents, the event features locally grown flowers, vegetables, herbs and perennials for sale. The proceeds support Baum Grove, which is Friendship's green space. There are also local food vendors, raffles, and a popular book sale. Of course it wouldn't be a folk festival with acoustic, folk and jazz music from local performers - which can be heard at the amphitheater at Baum Grove. They'll also have live demonstrations on sustainable practices, gardening and fitness. Kids can enjoy a moonwalk, a kid's raffle, sidewalk chalk, and plenty of street space for bikes and skates.
CBS Local offers has great deals everyday, anywhere from 50-90% off the retail value. This week's deal is perfect for mom - half off from Harmony Acres Soap Company. For $13.40, you'll get three 5.5 oz soap bars and one 4 oz body lotion of your choice, which is normally $26.80. You can also take advantage of one ReNew Day Cream and one ReNew Face Oil for $20.95, which is a $41.90 value. It's a family owned and operated company which only uses the highest quality oils and herbs to make their 100% natural skin care creations. With over 20 different aromatic and therapeutic bar soaps, you're sure to find one mom will love. For the soap and body lotion deal, you can purchase up to four for yourself, and four as gifts, and for the ReNew Deal you can purchase one for yourself and one as a gift. Shipping is not included in the price. You can find all the details on CBS Local Offers.
We have a fantastically fun event in Family & Pets this week: Pittsburgh International Children's Festival Preview. This annual event, which happens to start this Wednesday, is full of free hands-on activities and affordable performances on multiple stages. This preview lets you know which age groups would enjoy which performances most (although the Mirazozo exhibit is spectacular for ANY age!), and where they're happening throughout the University of Pittsburgh theaters and Schenley Plaza.
Looking for that perfect gift for Mom this Mother's Day? Keep it local! In Shopping & Style you'll find the Best Mother's Day Gifts in Pittsburgh. This article takes you beyond those "typical" Mother's Day gifts to some of the really cool and unique boutiques around the 'Burgh. Why not keep her hobbies in mind - is she a cool and unique crafter? An avid runner? A chocoholic? A fashionista? A foodie? Pittsburgh has a plethora of hip places to find THE perfect gift this Mother's Day. Be sure to check out these great finds... many under $50!
