Mayor William Peduto Launches Yearlong City Celebration
Mayor Peduto and Andy Masich, President and CEO of Senator John Heinz History Center engage with 200 volunteer community partners
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A yearlong, city-wide celebration, honoring the 200th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Pittsburgh will be announced by Mayor William Peduto. The Mayor will speak on January 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the City County Building (414 Grant St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15219) to pronounce the Pittsburgh Bicentennial program.
The Mayor will unveil the planned events in place and outline other ways to recognize the historic occasion. Celebrations will run throughout 2016, with over 200 partner organizations participating in a variety of ways. A website, www.PGH200.com, has launched and events can be entered under the calendar section of the site by the event organizers.
In anticipation of the anniversary year, Mayor Peduto formed a volunteer Bicentennial Commission to foster enthusiasm and diversity, and one that is dedicated to actionable initiatives. The participants include community groups, nonprofit and social service organizations, as well as businesses and individuals.
Mayor Peduto said, "It is an honor to celebrate the rich history and legacy of the great City of Pittsburgh with the Bicentennial anniversary. The 200th anniversary is an opportunity for the city, region and world to celebrate all that makes Pittsburgh and Pittsburghers extraordinary, bridging the past and the future."
The Chairman of the Commission is Andy Masich, the President and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center. The Mayor, Mr. Masich and the Commission have been working collaboratively during 2015 to create synergistic and memorable events in recognition of the notable anniversary.
"Not to be confused with the founding of Fort Pitt in 1758, in 2016 we're celebrating the 200th anniversary of the creation of the City of Pittsburgh," said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center and chairman of the Pittsburgh Bicentennial Commission. "Let's wish Pittsburgh a happy birthday in 2016 and look forward to our city's bright future."
This Pittsburgh Bicentennial anniversary differs from the 2008 regional celebration of the founding of Fort Pitt in 1758. The City received notice of its incorporation on March 18,1816, which legally established Pittsburgh as a city and allowed Pittsburgh's citizenry to vote locally, elect a mayor and provided a mechanism for self-governance. The incorporation also offered a pathway for municipal services that could benefit the residents, and provided standing for Pittsburgh within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the nation.
The Mayor will outline five signature events in acknowledgement of the anniversary, beginning with March 18, 2016, when he will host a celebration to kick-off the yearlong commemoration. The date is significant, as the 1816 incorporation acted as a catalyst for the future of the city and validated Pittsburgh as a legal entity.
A second celebration, the Bicentennial Bash, will take place on July 8, 2016, at the Senator John Heinz History Center, hosted by Andy Masich and his staff.
The descendants of the former mayors of Pittsburgh will be feted on July 9, 2016 and a Bicentennial Parade will take place along Liberty Avenue, beginning at 11th Street and ending at Point State Park. After the Parade there will be a festival in the Park. Parade participants will include representatives of area schools, community organizations, arts groups and the descendants of the former mayors of Pittsburgh.
The National League of Cities will gather in Pittsburgh on November 16 through the 19th for the 2016 NLC City Summit, the largest conference of mayors and city officials in the country. Pittsburgh will welcome these distinguished guests to the Bicentennial celebration during the 2016 Light Up Night festivities.
The culmination of the Bicentennial will occur on First Night® Pittsburgh, December 31, 2016. The Pittsburgh Bicentennial will have a presence throughout the year-end celebration and highlights will include achievements and milestones reached during the anniversary year.
CONTACT: Holly Bulvony, [email protected] or 412-471-4160
About the Pittsburgh Bicentennial
The Pittsburgh Bicentennial is a yearlong celebration of the official 200th anniversary of the incorporation of Pittsburgh as a city, giving citizens the right to vote and the opportunity for self-governance. Mayor William Peduto formed the Pittsburgh Bicentennial Commission to recognize and celebrate the anniversary with unique and collaborative partnerships. Over 200 organizations, companies, nonprofits and individuals are participating in the yearlong celebration. For more information log onto www.PGH200.com or contact Holly Bulvony at 412-471-4160 or [email protected].
SOURCE Pittsburgh Bicentennial
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