Save Our History Community Event on the South Side

Live Radio Broadcast • Scavenger Hunt • Comcast Cruiser • UPMC Health Van • Prizes & More!

April 18, 2005

PITTSBURGH, PA… Come to the South Side Market House on Saturday, April 30, between 6:00 am and Noon and participate in “Spotlight on Main Street,” a free community celebration including a live radio broadcast and scavenger hunt for families and adults, hosted by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (Landmarks) as part of The History Channel’s Save Our History program. Save Our History is working on a national and local effort to mobilize communities and schools across the country to preserve America’s national and local heritage, including landmarks, sites, and artifacts.

In Pittsburgh, Landmarks is focusing public attention on the importance of main streets and the quality of life they support, and in particular is spotlighting East Carson Street. “We hope hundreds of people come to the South Side Market House to share South Side memories and to participate in a scavenger hunt along East Carson Street between 10th and 22nd Streets,” said Landmarks’ chairman Mark Bibro. UPMC South Side is providing free event parking in its lot at 20th and Jane Streets, and East Carson Street is easily accessible by Port Authority buses 51A or 51C.

“We are grateful to PNC Bank for serving as the lead corporate sponsor,” said Louise Sturgess, executive director of Landmarks, “and to Comcast, the South Side Chamber of Commerce, South Side Local Development Company, UPMC South Side, and Brashear Association, among others, who are working with us to make this event a memorable one.”

Since January, students from four South Side area schools–Arlington Elementary, Bishop Leonard Catholic, Philip Murray Elementary, and Phillips Elementary–have been working with Landmarks to collect, record, and save South Side history. Some of their artwork will be displayed in the Market House, and a group of students will serve as event hosts.

Event details are as follows:

1. Live Broadcast–The Saturday Light Brigade

6:00 am to Noon (WRCT 88.3 FM)

Inside the South Side Market House, Bedford Square, 12th & East Carson Streets

The Saturday Light Brigade’s program will feature:

Singer/songwriter Jay Hitt;
Student performers, including Westwood Elementary Chorus, recently invited to sing at the State Capitol in Harrisburg;
The Steps of Pittsburgh authors Bob Regan and Tim Fabian;
The debut of a multi-media website designed by Art Institute graduates Jesse Wilson and Kevin Rim that shines the spotlight on East Carson Street.
Throughout the morning, radio host Larry Berger will be recording people’s memories and observations about the South Side. The Saturday Light Brigade (WRCT 88.3 FM) is an award-winning radio program for children and families that has aired weekly on Pittsburgh public radio since 1978.

2. Scavenger Hunt for Families and Adults

Beginning at 10:00 am along East Carson Street, between S. 10th and S. 22nd
Ending at Noon at the South Side Market House (Bedford Square at 12th Street)
Participate as a group with family and friends; or adults can participate on their own. Groups must stay together, and children must always be with an adult.
Several South Side businesses will be giving Scavenger Hunt participants free treats and discount coupons.
Pick up a Scavenger Hunt form at any one of the following three locations, beginning at 10:00 am:

Silver Eye Center for Photography, 1015 East Carson Street
South Side Market House, Bedford Square at 12th and East Carson Streets
Carnegie Library, South Side Branch, 2205 East Carson Street
The goal of the Scavenger Hunt is for people to correctly answer as many questions as possible, within the time they have AND within the two-hour time limit. A Grand Prize ($150 value) will be awarded to the group or individual who correctly answers the most questions. All participants will be able to participate in a prize raffle at the South Side Market House following the Scavenger Hunt.

The Grand Prize will be a variety of gift certificates to East Carson Street businesses, with a total value of $150.

Raffle prizes include:

ten $100 savings bonds, compliments of PNC Bank;
a DVD player, compliments of the South Side Chamber of Commerce;
DVDs from The Saturday Light Brigade in cooperation with KOCH Vision and New Video;
And gifts from

the Pittsburgh Pirates,
WQED,
The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center,
Brashear Association,
South Side Local Development Company,
The Local History Company.
In addition, the first 500 “Spotlight on Main Street” participants will be given commemorative keychain flashlights.

3. Molly’s Trolley’s

Molly’s Trolleys will be operating between 10:00 am and Noon to help people explore the 12-block scavenger hunt area along East Carson Street. Board Molly’s Trolleys at any one of five locations (look for the balloons marking the trolley stops):

On South 22nd Street near East Carson Street, adjacent to the Carnegie Library, South Side Branch
Along East Carson Street in the 1700 block (in front of The Bead Mine and in front of PNC Bank)
On S. 12th Street, near Bedford Square and the South Side Market House
Along East Carson Street, near 12th Street, by the parklet and Birmingham mural
4. Special Attractions

Airheads Balloon Art: 9:30 am to 10:30 am, inside the South Side Market House and around Bedford Square. Free balloon art, courtesy of David Weiss.
Comcast Cruiser along S. 12th Street near Bedford Square: 10:00 am to Noon
Tour the Cruiser to see interactive/hands-on examples of Comcast services, including Cable, High Speed Data, and Internet, and products such as HDTV, ON DEMAND, and DVRs.
UPMC Health Van in the 2100 block of East Carson Street: 10:00 am to Noon. Get your blood pressure checked and enjoy a cold juice drink.
History Center Crafts: 9:30 am to Noon, inside the South Side Market House, compliments of the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center
Buildings & Blocks: 6:00 am to Noon, inside the South Side Market House, compliments of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
For further information call 412-471-5808

The event will be held rain or shine.