Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

Rep. Dan B. Frankel May 22, 2025 | 2:03 PM

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Thursday, May 22, 2025

My office will be closed tomorrow, May 23 and Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. The office will reopen on Tuesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. Thank you to those who served and sacrificed for our nation.

Harrisburg Happenings

Pittsburgh's Hospitals Speak Out in Support of Medicaid

Today, I joined SEIU Healthcare PA to speak out against Republican efforts to gut Medicaid to make room for massive tax breaks for the nation's wealthiest people. These cuts aren’t about balancing the budget, they’re about prioritizing hedge funds over hospitals and yachts over human lives. One in two Pennsylvania kids rely on Medicaid. One in three births. Two in five people with disabilities. These aren’t statistics, they’re our neighbors. Stripping their health care is cruel, disgraceful, and dangerous. I stand with our nurses, our caregivers, and every Pennsylvanian who believes that health care is a right—not a luxury for the privileged few.

Standing Against Antisemitism and Hate

Today, we are grieving the devastating news out of Washington, D.C., where two young Israeli embassy staffers were murdered. This heartbreaking act of violence comes just days after antisemitic flyers were distributed in Squirrel Hill and Shadyside — a targeted attack on our local Jewish community.

These incidents are not isolated. They are part of a disturbing national trend of rising antisemitism that continues to victimize our communities, both in Pittsburgh and across the country.

I stand with my neighbors condemning these vile acts and once again call for bipartisan action to confront hate. We must pass the comprehensive anti-hate crimes legislation I introduced with Rep. Napoleon Nelson and Sen. Jay Costa. We cannot allow hate to take root — not in our neighborhoods, not anywhere.

The 10.27 Healing Partnership is offering counseling today until 4 PM for anyone who needs to talk to someone.

Policy Hearing: After the Storms: Preparing for the Future

On Wednesday, the PA House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing to hear from utility providers about their delayed response to the April 29 storm that left more than 750,000 residents without power — some for up to two weeks. For vulnerable people relying on medical devices, this wasn’t just an inconvenience — it was a life-threatening crisis. Utility executives described the storm as one of the worst in decades, but we know that extreme weather is becoming increasingly common, due to climate change.

Companies like Duquesne Light must learn all they can from this event to ensure that they are better prepared in the future. That’s why I’m co-sponsoring a resolution to study the feasibility of placing electric lines underground. While it requires an up-front investment, underground infrastructure is far more resilient and could help prevent outages like this in the future. Pennsylvanians deserve a stronger, safer, and more reliable power grid.

The 2025 Primary Election

On Tuesday, Pennsylvanians once again demonstrated that our democracy works best when we all participate — and when our elections are run fairly and securely. I want to thank the dedicated poll workers and election officials who made primary elections run smoothly across the Commonwealth. I’m also grateful to every voter who showed up and made their voice heard. Your engagement strengthens our democracy. Looking ahead, the General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Community Events and Resources

City of Pittsburgh’s Spray Parks Opening

Starting Saturday, May 24: Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Various Locations

Pittsburgh’s spray parks are opening for summer! They are accessible to toddlers and up and are wheelchair accessible.

Learn more here.

Greenfield Community Association – Get Involved

The Greenfield Community Association is inviting neighbors to get involved and help make Greenfield an even better place to live. Whether you're interested in planting flowers, organizing cleanups, or improving neighborhood safety, there are plenty of ways to contribute. Volunteering is a chance to give back, meet new people, and strengthen community connections.

Learn more and sign up here.

Chalk Fest

Saturday, May 24, 2-6 p.m. & Sunday, May 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Isabella Street & Allegheny Landing, North Shore

Riverlife Chalk Fest returns to celebrate the start of summer with a vibrant, outdoor art experience along Pittsburgh’s riverfronts. Attendees can enjoy large-scale chalk art, community engagement, and scenic views along the Allegheny River. The event features local artists and is free and open to the public.

Free.

Learn more here.

Fish-For-Free Day

Sunday, May 25

The Department of Fish and Boat Commission designated this Sunday as a Fish-for-Free day. Anyone is legally allowed to fish in Pennsylvania waterways without a fishing license. However, all other fish regulations still apply.

Learn more here.

Black Birders Week: Guided Birding Outing
Sunday, May 25, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Frick Park – Lower Frick Parking Lot

Naturalist Educator Nyjah Cephas and longtime birder Eric Hall will lead a birding walk in celebration of Black Birders Week. Designed for beginners and the bird-curious, the outing covers 1–2 miles on flat, natural trails and crushed limestone paths. Binoculars will be available to borrow.

Free.

Dice Dragon Run 5k

Sunday, May 25, 9 a.m. | Schenley Park Overlook (1 Overlook Drive, 15217)

Support the Allderdice cross-country team with a charity 5k. You can register on race day from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. There is a fee.

Learn more here.

Lawrenceville Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville’s annual Memorial Day Parade will feature marching bands, veterans’ organizations, local mascots, and classic cars. The parade begins at 36th and Butler streets and concludes at Allegheny Cemetery. A memorial tribute service will follow at the Soldier’s Memorial.

Free.

Learn more here.

Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Celebration

Monday, May 26, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum

Soldiers & Sailors’ annual Memorial Day ceremony is free and open to the public. The day will include tours of the museum, friendly family activities, and food and drink.

Learn more here.

Frankel & Costa Satellite Office Hours

Wednesdays, noon – 4 p.m. | CLP, Squirrel Hill

State Sen. Jay Costa’s office and mine will be hosting joint satellite office hours to provide assistance with a range of services, including notary needs, help with property tax and rent rebate forms, applications for senior bus passes, and more. Please come by and say hello!

Yoga in the Plaza
Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. | Schenley Plaza – Bosque

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and 3 Rivers Outdoor Co. are offering weekly outdoor yoga sessions. These one-hour, all-levels classes take place every Thursday from May through October, weather permitting. Participants are invited to join in the Bosque area of the plaza, near the Carnegie Library.

The classes are free, but donations are appreciated. Participants are required to sign waivers before the class begins.

Learn more here.

Parks on Tap Beer Garden
Friday, May 30, 3-9 p.m. | Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center

Parks on Tap returns with a monthly beer garden series at the Schenley Park Visitor Center. In partnership with Eleventh Hour Brewing, the event features a rotating lineup of food trucks, local brews—including the limited-edition “Summer in the Parks” lager—and access to nearby wooded trails. Held on the final Friday of each month through September.

Learn more here.

A Novel Evening: Book Fest Dinner
Friday, May 30, 6-9 p.m. | Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Main (Oakland)

The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books presents an evening of dining and conversation with featured Festival authors. Guests will enjoy a cocktail hour followed by a seated dinner in CLP – Main’s historic Reference Room, where a featured author will join each table. The lineup includes Jennifer Haigh, Kristen Arnett, Omar Tyree, Gayle Forman, and more. Dinner tickets include a three-course meal, a tote bag, and a book by one of the authors. Proceeds support the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books.

There is a fee for tickets.

Learn more and get tickets here.

Greenfield Glide 5K

Sunday, June 1, 8:30 1.m. | Schenley Park Oval (1 Overlook Drive, 15217)

The annual Greenfield Glide is a 5k cross-country race through Schenley Park.

Online registration for a fee (closes May 29), and day-of registration for an additional fee.

Learn more and register here.

Neighborhood Flea: Schenley Plaza
Sunday, June 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Schenley Plaza

New this year, the Neighborhood Flea is launching a monthly market at Schenley Plaza. Held on the first Sunday of each month from June through October, the event features vintage goods, handmade items, food vendors, and more. Presented in partnership with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, this open-air market is free to attend, takes place rain or shine, and offers free parking in Oakland on Sundays.

Free.

Learn more here.

Pittsburgh Pride 2025

Sunday, June 1

Pittsburgh Pride is a LGBTQIA+ community event across Downtown and the Northside. The parade will travel from the Strip District, through Downtown, and will end in a festival in Allegheny Commons West Park with live performances, food and drink vendors, and much more.