A litany of outdoor activities are being shut down Friday as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the Pittsburgh region and health officials urge people to limit their time outside.
Pittsburgh closed its pools amid air quality concerns. The city also canceled the Northside Farmers Market, Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park, Community Pop-Up Concert in Mellon Park and Roving Art Cart Friday.
Kennywood, Sandcaste and Idlewild & SoakZone won’t open Friday, either.
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said the county’s Summer Concert Series scheduled for Friday evening would be scrapped amid air quality issues. The county also closed its pools Friday, as well as the North and South Park golf courses and splash pads at Round Hill Park and Deer Lakes Park.
Mt. Lebanon, Whitehall and Dormont are among the municipalities keeping their pools shuttered Friday.
The Penn Hills Parks & Recreation Department has rescheduled Friday night’s screening of “GOAT” in Turner Friendship Park for Sept. 18.
In Westmoreland County, Friday night’s SummerSounds concert — Elton Rohn — at St. Clair Park in Greensburg has been postponed.
Irwin Borough has closed its Irwin Park and Penglyn Park.
Major events are scheduled throughout the weekend in Pittsburgh, including Picklesburgh and the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in Schenley Park.
The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, which organizes Picklesburgh, said in a statement that “air and weather conditions are closely monitored as part of the festival’s comprehensive safety protocols.”
“Over the past 11 years, the Festival has dealt with plenty of weather challenges, but wildfires and air quality are new ones,” the PDP said in the statement.
The organization decided to open Picklesburgh as planned at noon Friday. Staff and vendors were “given the flexibility to decide what’s best for them,” the partnership said, encouraging people to “use their own judgment when deciding whether to attend.”
The pickle-themed festival has misting stations and shaded areas, as well as on-site medical personnel, the partnership said.
Eat’n Park — which is offering pickle-flavored Smiley Cookies to celebrate Picklesburgh — said in a social media post that it won’t be participating in the festivities Friday. Eat’n Park plans to return to Picklesburgh Saturday and is offering its pickle cookies at several of its restaurants Friday.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit won’t open its booth at Picklesburgh Friday either.
Pittsburgh Grand Prix Executive Director Dan DelBianco in a written statement said event organizers are “constantly reviewing the air quality conditions.” Medical personnel are standing by, he added.
The America’s Mile, which was to be held on the North Shore on Friday night, has been canceled because conditions “do not allow us to provide a safe environment for our participants, volunteers, spectators, and staff,” organizers said in a statement.
Registered participants will receive additional information via email about their options.
The carousel at Schenley Plaza also will be closed Friday, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy announced. The conservancy also canceled its Nature Play Date, scheduled for Saturday at the Frick Environmental Center.
Sylvan Park Pool in Natrona Heights closed, citing the smoky conditions.
Pine Township announced its splash pad will be closed Friday, too.
Riverside Drive-In Theater in Parks Township announced it would be closed this weekend, too.
Quantam Theatre’s opening night performance of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” set to be held at Carrie Blast Furnaces in Rankin, was cancelled due to poor air quality and potential rain. The theatre in a social media post said it is contacting ticket holders to reschedule.
The Pittsburgh Zoo will remain open Friday, though some attractions and habitats may be closed, zoo spokesman Michael Schroeder said in a statement. Amphitheater shows have been canceled.
“Animals will be given optional access to indoor spaces and will be evaluated regularly,” Schroeder said.