What’s Happening – Week of Oct. 6
FALL FESTIVAL
The Bethel Park recreation and community center will be the site of a fall festival from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 15. The event includes a shopping mall, food trucks, children’s activities, handcrafted items, seasonal treats and vendors from the farmers’ market.
FAMILY FEST
A family fall festival will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in the St. Valentine Church’s parking lot. Volunteers are needed to decorate a car, SUV or truck and pass out candy. Forty-two slots are available. In addition to a Trunk-or-Treat activity, there will be crafts, games for children and snacks available for purchase. Donations of candy will be accepted at the offices at St. Germaine Church. Email cvater@olhpgh.org for more details.
BP DINNER
The annual YINZER dinner hosted by the Friends of the Bethel Park Library will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct.18 at the library. This celebration of everything black ‘n’ gold, with Pittsburgh-themed food, drink, and games will also feature a cookie table. Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple. They are available for purchase at the library, Evey Hardware or online.
TROLLEY FUN
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum operates its Pumpkin Patch Trolley from Oct. 18 to 20 and the Trick-or-Trolley from Oct. 26 and 27. In addition to rides on decorated trolleys, participants can explore the display building which features 20 antique trolleys.
The Pumpkin Patch Trolley runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The last trolley departs at 3:55. Admission is $22 for adults; $21 for ages 62 and up; and $20 for ages 3 to 15. Children 2 and under are free but the purchase of a $3 pumpkin is required. All tickets are timed and require advance purchasing at www.patrolley.org.
For the Trick-or-Trolley, children are encouraged to wear costumes as they trick-or-treat with local businesses and organizations throughout the museum. Events run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The last experience begins at 3:15.
Additionally, trolley rides are offered at the Washington County Fairgrounds during the Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Christmas Festival, Oct. 18 to 20 and 26 and 27. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday as well as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Riders can purchase tickets at the fairgrounds trolley platform for $5 per person. Children 2 and under are free. This service does not include admission to the museum or to the events.
Fall hours for the museum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
CRAFT EVENT
A Christmas Vendor and Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16 at St. Valentine Church’s Frawley Hall, located at 2710 Ohio St. in Bethel Park. Tables are available for $40 ($45 after Oct. 18). Email teachbech@gmail.com for more details.
ART SHOW
The Galleria is hosting a fall art show Oct. 18 to 27 throughout the first floor of the mall located at 1500 Washington Road in Mt Lebanon. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The South Arts Pittsburgh, Whitehall, McMurray and Bethel Park art leagues along with Primary Colors and Photo Section will be participating. Artwork and photos are framed and ready to hang. Cards and matted prints are also available. Cash, checks or credit cards accepted. Call 412-496-4236 or email NIKF4@aol.com for more details.
CATNIP BINGO
The Catnip Bingo will be held Oct. 20 at Salvatore’s, located at 5001 Curry Road. Doors open at noon. Proceeds benefit FosterCat Inc. and goes to the support of cat rescue, care, faster and adoption. In addition to bingo, there will be a 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction and opportunities to win gift cards and other items. Baked goods will be available for purchase. Tickets are $50 each and include 10 bingo games (6 cards to a game) and a full course hot buffet luncheon including dessert and beverage. Visit Fostercat.org; call 412-481-9144 or email: info@fostercat.org to request tickets. All tickets must be purchased in advance.
LINEAGE
The Mt. Lebanon Genealogy Society will meet at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Mt. Lebanon Library. “Creating a Memorable Family History Book” will be the feature presentation. Guest speaker Tina Calabro will discuss where to find resources and support, how to organize your book, how to keep your text and photos organized and accessible. New members can attend. Contact malcolm.andrews1949@gmail.com for more information.
JEOPARDY
The Peters Township recreation center will host a Jeopardy event from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Participants test trivia skills and knowledge of events in categories ranging from history and pop culture to science and literature. Register at www.peterstownship.com by Oct. 24 to compete.
FREE ENTRY
The History Center and Fort Pitt Museum offer free admission to children, ages 17 and under, through Nov. 30. Regular rates apply to adult visitors.
The History Center features six floors of award-winning exhibitions and interactive learning spaces, as well as the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. Fort Pitt, located in Point State Park, tells the story of the region’s role during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the birthplace of Pittsburgh through interactive exhibits, like-like figures and artifacts.
Both museums are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit heinzhistorycenter.org for more information.
SPIDERS
An event highlighting spiders will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Peters Township community recreation center. Ages 3 to 5 accompanied by an adult can attend. The program features spider webs and attendees can make spider-themed crafts and play Halloween games. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers). Sign-up deadline is Oct. 8. Visit www.peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000 to register.
PT SAFETY
Peters Township will host a public safety day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at the police department, located at 200 Municipal Dr. Police, fire and EMS will present a day of learning along with emergency vehicles and equipment displays. There will be CPR demonstrations, mock crime scenes, crash reconstruction, police station tours as well as visits from the North Strabane K9 Unit and the Pittsburgh Police Mounted Unit. Food trucks will be on site.
WOMEN’S CLUB
The South Hills Women’s Club will meet at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 at Vanadium Woods Lobby, 50 Vanadium Road in Bridgeville. A healthcare consultant, Scott Sheets, will discuss Medicare options and the changes coming to the program in 2025. New members and guests can attend. Call 412-965-4714 or 412-414-1232 to attend or for further questions.
NURSES CLUB
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Registered Nurses Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at Salvatore’s, 5001 Curry Road. CEA Karen Jacobson will speak on “Emmaus Community Pittsburgh.” The community includes all people with disabilities living in group homes to help them reach their full potential. All registered nurses can attend. Visit www.swparnclub.weebly.com for more details.
TRUNK TREAT
Peters Township will hold a trunk-or-treat Oct. 19 at Rolling Hills Park for ages 10 and under. There are four time slots: 1, 1:30, 2 and 2:30 p.m. Registration is required. Deadline is Oct. 16 or until full. Children should come dressed in costume for trick-or-treat along the road from trunk to trunk. Visit www.peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000 to reserve a time slot.
MARIO KART
A Mario Kart Tournament will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Peters Township recreation center, located at 700 Meredith Drive. Ages 6 to 10 can participate. Visit www.peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000 for more details.
CHABAD
A presentation on how to navigate Medicare will be the topic for Seniors in the Sukkah at 1 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Chabad of the South Hills location in Mt. Lebanon. Suggested donation is $5. Pre-registration is required. Contact barb@chabadsh.com or call 412-278-2658.
KIDS REC
Peters Township will offer an event for age 7 to 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 25 at the recreation center. Children should bring a water bottle and wear gym shoes as they participate in games and other activities. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers). Register by Oct. 23 at www.peterstownship.com. Call 724-942-5000 for more details.
FLEA MARKET
The Church of the Atonement will hold a flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at 618 Washington Ave. in Carnegie Household articles, linens, decorations, puzzles, clothing, socks, winter coats and shoes are among the items for sale . For questions or to donate, call 412-276-0366.
ELKS EVENT
The Pittsburgh South Hills Elks 2213 will hold a dinner dance from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Bethel Park Lodge located at 2789 South Park Road. Tickets are $25. Dinner entree is prime rib with baked potato and salad. RSVP by Oct. 23 by calling 412-831-0616.
TRUNK-N-TREAT
Crossroads Ministries will hold a trunk-n-treat event, rain or shine, Oct. 30 at its facility located at 81 Walter Long Road in Finleyville. Church members will dress up, decorate their cars and hand out candy to children, who must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required for the three different time slots: 6:30 to 7 p.m.; 7 to 7:30 p.m.; and 7:30 to 8 p.m. Visit www.crsmin.com to sign up for tickets. Call 724-348-1620 for more details.
FAMILY FUN
A Minute To Win It event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Peters Township recreation center. Ages 5 and over can participate in this family-bonding, competitive event. Wear comfortable clothes. Fee is $1 per member ($3 per person for nonmembers). Register by Oct. 24 at www.peterstownship.com. Call 724-942-5000 for more details.
TINSEL LUNCH
A limited number of tickets are available for the Giant Oaks Garden Club’s annual Tinsel luncheon and fundraiser to be held Nov. 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. This year’s theme is “Sleigh Bells Ring.” Tickets are $40 per person and includes luncheon and a full day of vendor shopping, raffle baskets valued at a minimum of $100, door prizes, and a 50/50 drawing. Call 412-303-0268 to order.
ART MARKET
The Upper St. Clair League of Arts will host its 50th Sugarplum Artisan Marketplace from Nov. 7 to 12 at 1770 McLaughlin Run Road. Times are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Sunday and Tuesday, when the show closes at 2 p.m. Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted for purchases.
VET DAY
Mt. Lebanon will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony at 4 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial, off Cedar Boulevard, near the Recreation Center. Retired Lt. Col Ed Jackson, USAF, is the keynote speaker.
CRAFT SHOWS
The John McMillan Presbyterian Church’s annual Christmas Affair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2 at 875 Clifton Road in Bethel Park. More than 45 vendors will be featured along with a gingerbread house, auction items and Kris Kringle Kafe. Admission is free. All proceeds benefit local missions.
The St. Raphael the Archangel holiday craft show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 in the SS. Simon and Jude school gymnasium, located at 1625 Green Tree Road. In addition to 75 tables of crafts, there will be a Chinese auction of items made by participants, a bake sale and lunch available for purchase. Parking and admission are free. Proceeds benefit the Faith Formation program at the parish.
The Labouré Ladies Guild ‘s annual “Joy of Christmas” Craft Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at St. Louise de Marillac School and LeGras Parish Center, located at 320 McMurray Road in Upper St. Clair. In addition to 115 artists and craftsmen, there will be a bake sale, crafts raffle and 50/50. Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase. Admission is $2 and includes a ticket for the crafts raffle. No strollers are permitted.
BP HOLIDAYS
Bethel Park residents should mark their calendars for the following holiday events:
Dec. 4 – Annual tree lighting with a visit from Santa Claus from 6 to 8 p.m. at the community center.
Dec. 8 – Dean Streator holiday concert at 2:30 p.m. at the community center.
Dec. 13 – Senior citizens luncheon at 1 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. Residents ages 60 and older can attend this program that features a traditional holiday meal, entertainment by the Top 21 singers, orchestra and symphonic band. Sign-up forms will be available at the community center beginning Nov. 1. Reservations are due by Dec. 5.
Call 412-851-2910 for more details or to register for specific events.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Keynotes is accepting applications for the 2025 Music Scholarship Competition, to be held May 10, 2025, at The Fine Arts Theater of Mt. Lebanon High School. Cash awards totaling more than $16,000 will be awarded. Instrumentalists must be under 26 years of age by June 1, 2025, and vocalists must be under the age of 30. The student must be a full-time music major at a college, university or music school or a graduating high school senior accepted for admission as a full-time music major. Contestants must be current legal residents of Pennsylvania for one year, or if out-of-state, attending a school in Pennsylvania, can provide proof of Pennsylvania address, i.e. campus address, university mailings, apartment or utility bills.
Call 412-260-6972 or email houdini5@hotmail.com for an application. An online scholarship application is available at keynotesmusicscholarship.com. Deadline for submission is April 30, 2025.