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Party in Pittsburgh! Colcom Foundation Presents. . .Pittsburgh Celebrates 250

October Weekend Celebration Features Bike Rides, Flotilla, the Largest-Ever Fireworks Display and More!

PITTSBURGH, July 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prepare to party,Pittsburgh! On October 3 and 4, 2008 the Colcom Foundation presents... Pittsburgh Celebrates 250, a weekend community event at historic Point State Park that kicks off Pittsburgh's two-month anniversary party by celebrating its past, present and future. The weekend party commemorates The PNC Legacy Trail Ride - a 335-mile bike ride along the Great Allegheny Passage fromWashington, D.C. toPittsburgh.

Programming for this free once-in-a lifetime event features a community bike ride celebrating America's most accessible trail, ceremonies honoring The Forbes Trail, Point State Park and the naming of the region, outdoor concerts featuring Pittsburgh's born and bred musicians, a special riverboat flotilla and lighted boats spectacle, a presentation of Pittsburgh Facts, Firsts, & Fun, and the convergence of history and technology among other activities. The celebration will be capped off with the "Imagine Pittsburgh" fireworks spectacular, the largest Zambelli fireworks display ever seen in the region with the most launch sites ever produced inthe United States.

"Colcom Foundation is delighted to be the title sponsor for this fabulous weekend that is packed withPittsburgh 250 celebrations," said Timothy Inglis, Colcom Foundation President and Treasurer. "We are proud to support an event that provides the people of the region with tremendous opportunities to participate in events that connect them to their heritage as well as a promising future." Created in 1996, Colcom Foundation's mission is to foster a sustainable environment for all Americans; the foundation also supports programs that enhance Pittsburgh's viability and livability.

Colcom Foundation Presents ...Pittsburgh Celebrates 250 links key elements of the entirePittsburgh 250 celebration. The weekend-long event bridgesPittsburgh 250 signature projects including the closing ceremony of The PNC Legacy Trail Ride celebrating the Great Allegheny Passage, the dedication of a permanent marker recognizing the historic significance of the Forbes Campaign and a community festival to highlight the ongoing transformation of Point State Park.

"This weekend launches a two-month celebration throughout the region. As part of that, The PNC Legacy Trail Ride is symbolic of the 250 years of adventure this region has experienced," said Jim Rohr, Chairman and CEO of PNC Financial Services Corp. and Chairman of thePittsburgh 250th Commission. "From history to innovation, thePittsburgh region has led the way." The PNC Legacy Trail Ride begins with Celebration Saturday, Sept. 27, in six trail towns betweenWashington D.C. andPittsburgh, and culminates with the community ride on Oct. 4 into historic Point State Park.Pittsburgh region residents are invited to participate in the last leg of the ride by registering at www.bike250.org.

Things get started on Friday, Oct. 3, with a lighted boat parade on Pittsburgh's beautiful rivers. And, the big water stuff happens the morning of Saturday, October 4, when the Three Rivers 250th Flotilla journeys from Brunot Island to Downtown, while saluting the Delta Queen on her final historic voyage. More than 100 boats are expected to participate in the flotilla, which replicates a similar event that marked Pittsburgh's 150th anniversary in 1908. The flotilla includes non-motorized water crafts, pleasure boats, historic vessels, the Gateway Clipper Fleet, commercial barges, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pittsburgh River Rescue and others.

Of course, noPittsburgh celebration would be complete without fireworks. And the "Imagine Pittsburgh" fireworks by the region's own Zambelli Internationale promises to be the biggest fireworks celebration ever seen in our region. The entire city will be lit like never before. The theatrical production and soundtrack will launch fireworks at more sites than ever seen before inthe United States withPittsburgh serving as the theater, the Golden Triangle as the birthday cake, and skyscrapers illuminated as candles. As the grand finale, the signature Zambelli pyrotechnics effect "Niagara Falls," will launch from the West End Bridge. The fireworks show, which will begin at 9:30 pm on Oct. 4, will create prime seating from the North Shore, South Side andMt. Washington - among other locations.

VisitPittsburgh, the official tourism and promotion agency of thePittsburgh region, is a proud sponsor of the event. Other sponsorship opportunities are available for the weekend's many celebration events by contactingPittsburgh 250, Robert Petrilli at 412-281-4783, ext. 3139.

AboutPittsburgh 250:

Pittsburgh 250 is the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the naming of the region in 1758. With the support of business, government and civic leaders from across the region,Pittsburgh 250 has set three goals: Improve awareness of southwesternPennsylvania as a global leader in arts, science and quality of life through an integrated regional marketing effort; support the completion of lasting signature projects that connect the region's past to its future; and improve the region's competitiveness for future generations by encouraging grassroots participation in improving communities, attracting visitors, and living healthier lives.

SOURCE VisitPittsburgh

Tags: ,TRA,LEI,POL,Pittsburgh250-brthday

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