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Events

United States Open Championship Golf

The United States Open Championship is one of the four 'majors' (major championships) in men's golf. The event dates back to 1895 where it was first played on a nine-hole course in Newport, Rhode Island. In 2007, the event will, once again, be held at the prestigious Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. Oakmont has hosted more major Championships than any other course in the United States. It is regarded as one of the most difficult courses in the country and recently voted the fourth best course by Golf Digest.

Venue: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont; Date: 14-17 June 2008; Website: www.usopen.com

Three Rivers Regatta

Each year the height of summer is celebrated in Pittsburgh with America’s largest inland regatta, the Three Rivers Regatta, which is far more than just an aquatic challenge. The Pittsburgh regatta is a full on festival of fun, covering four days, with a variety of entertainment on land, water and in the air. Included in the programme of more than 20 daily events is powerboat racing, fireworks displays, water-ski shows, extreme sports, and an ‘anything that floats’ race.

Venue: Point State Park; Date: 3-4 July 2007; Website: www.pghregatta.com

Carol Rossegg

Pittsburgh International Children's Festival

Pittsburgh is justifiably proud of its annual International Children’s Festival, one of the largest and most popular child-oriented arts festivals in the country, which has earned world renown since it started out 20 years ago. The festival consists of five days of extraordinary performing arts for children, in one location, at extremely affordable prices. The programme includes theatre, live music, dance and puppetry to entrance both the young and young at heart.

Venue: West Park and Alleghney Center, North Shore; Date: 14-18 May 2008; Website: www.pghkids.org

Pittsburgh Folk Festival

For three days over Memorial Day weekend Pittsburgh's Convention Center is turned into an international village offering visitors the chance to experience the food, costumes and culture of more than 24 countries. Continuous entertainment spices up the delights on offer at the many food booths and the beer tavern. There are numerous craft demonstrations and displays and entertainment and activities laid on for children.

Venue: David L. Lawrence Convention Center; Date: 16-18 May 2008; Website: www.pghfolkfest.org

Three Rivers Arts Festival

The Three Rivers Arts Festival is a nearly 50-year-old tradition in downtown Pittsburgh, bringing art to the people with a mix of live music, theatre, dance, visual arts and fine food. A programme of free concerts draws the crowds to Point State Park, while all galleries in the downtown area exhibit their finest. Most popular, however, is the vibrant artist market where artists from all over the country sell their wares in more than 15 different mediums. The beauty of the market is that it changes six times during the festival, featuring the work of 150 artists at a time, so one visit is not enough to seek out that special treasure.

Venue: Point State Park and various locations throughout downtown Pittsburgh; Date: 6-22 June 2008; Website: www.artsfestival.net

Groundhog Day © Aaron Silvers

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is perhaps one of America's most famous and extraordinary events, popularised by the Bill Murray film in the early nineties. Punxsutawney Phil, as the groundhog is known, has supernatural powers if you believe the myth, and is asked on 2 February each year what the following six weeks of weather will entail for those in the area. If the Phil sees his shadow, there will be another six weeks of winter in store; if not, then summer is on its way. The town is visited by tens of thousands each year and there is plenty of music and entertainment followed by fireworks in the evening.

Venue: Punxsutawney, north east of Pittsburgh; Date: 2 February 2009; Website: www.groundhog.org