April 12 is a notable date in various ways. For one, it marks the day in 1861 that the U.S. Civil War began. It also celebrates the delicious goldenness of National Grilled Cheese Day.<\/p>\n
In the Pittsburgh area, April 12 is recognized as 412 Day. It\u2019s a day designated for celebrating Pittsburgh pride, as the date \u2014 4\/12 \u2014 matches the local area code of 412.<\/p>\n
In recent years, 412-themed events have seen an increase in popularity and attendance from people all over Allegheny County. Pittsburghers use the opportunity to support small businesses, try local delicacies or explore a new neighborhood. This year, the celebrations are expanding across the area, from Larimer near Shadyside and East Liberty, with events hosted by Bakery Square and Eastside Bond, to the North Shore with celebrations at Southern Tier Brewing Company hosted by City Cast Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think a lot of the times people can get lost in the daily hustle and bustle of just life and kind of forget that we\u2019re all here in the same place, at the same time, celebrating the same stuff. \u2026 I think we realize that we\u2019re all Pittsburghers, and that\u2019s what makes us one,\u201d Bakery Square Marketing and Events Coordinator Grace Papa said. \u201cWe all are celebrating what makes us a community.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the return of the Pirates to PNC Park, the Penguins\u2019 NHL season wrapping up and the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh. This novelty day in the 412 celebrates various Pittsburgh figures and allows for neighbors to meet, mingle, and share stories of connection with each other.<\/p>\n
Want to meet Steely McBeam? Grab a family picture. Need Heinz ketchup? There\u2019s plenty to go around. Thirsty? Step right up to the Turner\u2019s Tea chugging contest.<\/p>\n
Celebrations will take place at various locations on April 12, free of charge. The 412 Fest is noon to 5 p.m. at Bakery Square. 412 Spirit Day is right down Penn Avenue at Eastside Bond Plaza on Spirit Street in East Liberty from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. City Cast Pittsburgh is hosting their first 412 Day celebration at Southern Tier Brewing Co. on the North Shore from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n
Not connected but still on brand for Pittsburgh pride, the Downtown Pittsburgh Partnership Closing concludes its annual Redd Up Week<\/a> on 4\/12, a time for residents to put some tender love and care into the Downtown area (especially with company coming for the NFL Draft April 23-25).<\/p>\n Where to go, what to do<\/p>\n The party starts early at Eastside Bond <\/a>Plaza<\/a>, where guests can find multiple vendors, live music by the Notorious Dr. D (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and raffle baskets. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spirit Street will be a bustling celebration of all the things Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n This is the first year Eastside Bond has hosted a 412 Day event. The organizers hope community members show out in full force to commemorate the black and gold and connect with their neighbors.<\/p>\n Attendees can also visit all nine vendors listed in the 412-themed \u201cPassport\u201d issued by Eastside Bond and return the completed list to their table to enter a raffle. Baskets from Hand & Stone Massage, Xfinity and Eastside Bond will be available, among other prizes.<\/p>\n Vendors representing everything from local handmade goods, flavorful cuisine, mindful practices and more will also be in attendance with freebies and more information about how to further support local businesses.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I think about small business and business relationships\u2026 that\u2019s what Pittsburgh is all about,\u201d Bob Kissell, director of Marketing for McKinney Properties, which manages Eastside Bond.<\/p>\n New this year, City Cast\u2019s 412 Day at Southern Tier Brewing Co. on the North Shore is free and open to the public. Suitable for all ages, the celebration consists of live music, local vendors, flash tattoos, and even a Nebby Neighbor beer featured on tap.<\/p>\n From noon to 5 p.m. at Bakery Square, people can experience a tsunami of spirit at 412 <\/a>Fest<\/a>, which will feature various Pittsburgh-themed activities, characters, and foods, with something for everyone in the family.<\/p>\n Now in its fourth year, 412 Fest grows larger each year. In its early years, festivities surrounding the 412 were \u201cnot a movement but a social media moment\u201d that evolved into something bigger, Bakery Square Marketing and Events Coordinator Grace Papa said. What started as small murmurs online has now grown into a cultural focal point celebrating the past, present, and future of Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like Pittsburgh has such a unique culture with sports and the language and things that were invented here,\u201d Papa said. \u201cI think we just have such a combination between music, sports, the arts, it\u2019s just such a wide range of culture that I haven\u2019t seen literally anywhere else, and at least a city that embodies it and honors it as much as Pittsburgh does.\u201d<\/p>\n Featured Local Businesses<\/p>\n Special 412-themed deals and dishes will be offered at the event, like Alta Via Pizzeria\u2019s $4.12 parm fries, Fry12 Station and Heinz Condiment Bar at City Kitchen, and $4.12 IC Lights from Tako Torta.<\/p>\n Media organization Ya Jagoff! will be hosting various competitions for those feeling particularly competitive. Contests include Musical Parking Chairs (12:30-1:30 p.m.), Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Pie Eating (2-3 p.m.), and a Turner\u2019s Iced Tea Chugging Contest (4-5 p.m.).<\/p>\n Non-foodies might prefer a meet-and-greet with Pitt athletes Mason Heintschel and Olivia Babcock, or celebrate winning the USL Championship with Riverhounds players.<\/p>\n Younger attendees can learn about insects with the Pittsburgh Zoo, burn energy on an inflatable slide, and transform their look with Pittsburgh-themed face paint.<\/p>\n At its core, 412 Day celebrates the communities, quirks and cultural phenomena that are forever ingrained in Pittsburgh\u2019s DNA.<\/p>\n \u201cPittsburgh has so much culture and so many unique things about it that makes people from Pittsburgh, people from Pittsburgh,\u201d Papa said. \u201cI think having a day to bring everyone from Pittsburgh together to celebrate all these little weird niche things that make us Pittsburghers, I think it\u2019s so special.\u201d<\/p>\n Lena Carr is a University of Pittsburgh student majoring in media and professional communication.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"April 12 is a notable date in various ways. 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