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 in a Friday morning press conference 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 list of municipalities keeping their pools shuttered Friday.
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.”
The pickle-themed festival has misting stations and shaded areas, as well as on-site medical personnel, the partnership said in a statement.
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.
Riverside Drive-In Theater in Parks Township announced it would be closed this weekend, too.