Harrisburg Happenings, Community Events & More

PA Representative Dan Frankel banner image

Friday, October 17, 2025

 

Harrisburg Happenings

$7.3 Million Approved to Replace Lead Service Lines

 

This week, my colleagues from Allegheny County and I secured $7.3 million in state funding for Pittsburgh Water to replace lead service lines in several city neighborhoods, including Hazelwood. This investment will help ensure that families can trust the safety of their tap water while modernizing our critical infrastructure.

 

Community Events and Resources

Percent for Art – University Line

 

The City of Pittsburgh’s Public Art Program is seeking community input to help shape a new public art project along Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s upcoming University Line. The project aims to reflect the stories and character of Downtown, the Hill District, Oakland, and Uptown. Residents are encouraged to share their ideas and suggest potential locations for public art installations through an online survey and interactive map.

 

Learn more and submit your ideas here.

Exhibition: The Art and Science of Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero

Exhibit Open Now – December 17 | Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM | Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie Mellon University

 

This exhibition celebrates the life and work of Rafael Lucas Rodríguez Caballero, a Costa Rican botanist, artist, and educator whose career combined scientific rigor with artistic creativity. On display are botanical illustrations, scientific writings, jewelry designs, and cartoons that showcase his unique integration of art and science.

 

Free admission.

 

Learn more here.

Zooboo
Sat. & Sun., Oct. 18-19 & 25-26, 10 AM- 3 PM | Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

 

Zooboo is a kid-friendly Halloween event featuring trick-or-treating, crafts, a Halloween parade, a costume contest, and more.

 

Admission is $26 for adults, $20 for kids.

 

Learn more and get tickets here.

Punkin Chunkin & Bark or Treat
Saturday, October 18, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Hartwood Acres Amphitheater


Punkin Chunkin will feature a full-size trebuchet launching pumpkins into the air, along with crafts, games, face painting, balloon art, medieval sword fighting, a farmers’ market, and food and beer vendors. From 12:00 – 2:00 PM, dogs in costumes are welcome for the Howl-o-Ween Bark or Treat event at the nearby dog park.

 

Both events are free and open to all ages; registration is recommended.

 

Learn more here.

Track and Treat

Saturday, October 18, 12–4 PM | Bud Harris Cycling Track, 1401 Washington Blvd., 15206


Bring your bike—or borrow one from Citiparks—and cycle around the Bud Harris Cycling Track. Enjoy refreshments, food trucks, bike safety instructions, games, and more. There will also be a Halloween costume contest at 2:00 PM.

 

Free.

 

Learn more here.

No Kings Rallies
Saturday, October 18 | Multiple Locations


Community members will gather at several peaceful rallies across Pittsburgh to affirm their support for democracy and reject authoritarianism. Organizers emphasize nonviolent, lawful participation and encourage attendees to bring signs and any personal items they may need. See you there!


City-County Building | 12:30 – 2:30 PM

Learn more here.

 

Allegheny Commons Park West | 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Learn more here.

 

Intersection of Fifth Ave. & Shady Ave. (next to Mellon Park) | 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Learn more here.

Family Day Halloween Spooktacular
Sunday, October 19, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Schenley Plaza

 

Families are invited for a festive Halloween celebration. Costumes are encouraged!

Free and open to all. No registration required.

 

Learn more here.

Pittsburgh Ghosts
Saturday, October 19, 1:00–2:00 PM | CLP – Main (Oakland)


Join Thomas White, archivist at Duquesne University, for an afternoon of eerie tales about Pittsburgh’s haunted past. The event will take place in the South Wing Reading Room at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main Branch.


Free. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.


Learn more here.

Beyond History: Framing the Past, Shaping the Future
Wednesday, October 22 | Heinz History Center


The Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium will host an evening of celebration, storytelling, and advocacy, marking 10 years of preserving, sharing, and advancing disability history in Western Pennsylvania.

 

The program will feature Pittsburgh-born actress and advocate Ann Talman, creator of Woody’s Order; a tribute to longtime disability rights leader Ginny Thornburgh; and a showcase of the Consortium’s achievements. The event will also commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

There is an admission fee.

 

Learn more and get tickets here.

Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh 2025

Friday & Saturday, October 24 & 25 | David L. Lawrence Convention Center


Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh is a free, two-day dental clinic for underserved individuals living in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. All services are provided at no cost by local dental professionals, assisted by a team of volunteers.

 

For patients, doors open at 6:00 AM, and the clinic begins at 7:00 AM. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Clinic services will conclude when capacity is reached, based on patient needs and volunteer availability.

 

Learn more here.  

 

Volunteers are still needed for the event, learn more here.

Greenfield K8 Fall Fest and Haunted Gym
Friday, October 24 | 5:30–8:00 PM | Greenfield Elementary School


The Greenfield K–8 PTO invites the community to the annual Fall Fest and Haunted Gym. This family-friendly event will feature games, crafts, food, Trunk or Treat, and the Theater Club’s Haunted Gym.

 

There is an admission — proceeds benefit the PTO and Theater Club.

 

Learn more here.

The Silence of the Lambs Cage Night
Friday, October 24, 5:30–10:30 PM | Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum


Step into cinematic horror at Soldiers & Sailors, the filming site of the infamous Hannibal Lecter cage scene. This Halloween-themed evening features a life-sized replica of Hannibal’s cage with original set pieces, a live “Hannibal” for photo opportunities, and a screening of The Silence of the Lambs on a theater-sized screen. Guests can also enjoy a vendor marketplace, specialty refreshments, and a DJ-led wrap party in the very ballroom where the cage scene was filmed. Costumes are encouraged (no full-face masks or weapons).

 

Advance tickets are recommended. There is an admission fee.

 

Learn more and get tickets here.

Bike or Treat
Saturday, October 25, 1–5 PM | Various Locations & Aslin Beer Co., Strip District


Bike or Treat is a fun, inclusive, scavenger-hunt-style ride celebrating all things Halloween. Participants can start anywhere, ride at their own pace, and collect tickets at six checkpoints around the city for a chance to win raffle prizes at the afterparty. Costumes are encouraged, and riders may use a POGOH bike or bring their own. The event concludes with music, games, and a prize raffle at Aslin Beer Co.

 

Tickets are $10. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

 

Learn more and get tickets here.

Commemoration Ceremony for the Oct. 27, 2018, Synagogue Shooting

Monday, Oct. 27, 6:30–7:30 PM | JCC Pittsburgh


The 10.27 Healing Partnership will host a public commemoration ceremony honoring the lives lost in the October 27, 2018, attack on the congregations of Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light.

 

Learn more and register here.

 

If you need emotional support or counseling during this challenging time, please reach out to the 10.27 Healing Partnership.

 

Voting Resources – 2025 General Election

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025

  

Sample Ballots Sample ballots for the 2025 General Election are now available. To view your ballot, you’ll need to know your municipality, ward, and district. This information is on your voter registration card or can be found using the PA Voter Services tool.  

 

Check Your Voter Registration 

Registered voters can verify their registration online via the Pennsylvania Department of State portal. The portal provides: 

  • Election Day polling places 
  • Mail-in/absentee ballot status 
  • Contact info for County Boards of Elections 

Register to Vote / Update Your Registration 

Deadline: October 20

Voters turning 18 by Election Day can register before their birthday. 

 

Voting with a Criminal Conviction 

Individuals with misdemeanor or felony convictions are eligible to vote in Pennsylvania. 

Voting eligibility includes jail/prison (misdemeanor), house arrest, probation/parole, halfway house, or pretrial detention. 

Some voters may require absentee ballots. 

No action needed to regain voting rights after completing a felony sentence. 

 

College Students 

Voters can cast their ballot either at their college or their home address (one location only).
College students can register to vote at their home address and request a mail-in/absentee ballot to be sent to their school.
Mailing addresses do not need to match home addresses when applying for a mail-in ballot.

 

Mail-in / Absentee Ballots 

Application Deadline: October 28

Track your ballot here

 

Satellite Voting Offices 

Vote, register, or request a mail-in ballot in one trip.

Open Saturday & Sunday, October 25 & 26, 10 AM- 2 PM

  • CCAC Homewood, 701 N. Homewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
  • North Park Ice Rink, 1200 Pearce Mill Road, Wexford, PA 15090
  • South Park Ice Rink, 300 Corrigan Drive, Bethel Park, PA 15102
  • County Office Building Lobby (Ross Street entrance), 436 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Allegheny County Ballot Return Sites 

Voters that applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot can return only their own ballot here, instead of mailing it.

Open:

  • Friday, October 31, 11 AM- 7 PM
  • Saturday, November 1, 9 AM- 5 PM
  • Sunday, November 2, 9 AM- 5 PM
  • Monday, November 3, 11 AM- 7 PM

Locations:

  • Allegheny County Emergency Servies Building, 150 Hookstown Grade Rd, Moon Township, PA 15108
  • Avalon Public Library, 317 S Home Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15202
  • Boyce Park Four Season Lodge, 901 Centerview Dr, Plum, PA 15239
  • Carnegie Library Squirrel Hill, 5801 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
  • CCAC Homewood, 701 N Homewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
  • County Office Building, 542 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  • Dormont Pool, 1801 Dormont Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15216
  • Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, 1 N Linden St, Duquesne, PA 15110
  • North Park Ice Rink, 1200 Pearce Mill Rd, Wexford, PA 15090
  • South Park Ice Rink, 300 Corrigan Dr, Bethel Park, PA 15102

Accessible Voting 

All polling places must have at least one accessible voting system. 

Check accessibility before Election Day.  

Permanent absentee ballots are available for voters with permanent disabilities. 

 

Poll Workers Wanted 

Earn $150-175 on Election Day. 

Apply online. 

 

Voter Education Toolkit 

Provides tools to educate voters about: 

  • Election deadlines 
  • How to vote 
  • Secure voting systems in PA 
 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

152 Main Capitol Building

PO Box 202023

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 705-1875

District Office

2345 Murray Avenue

Suite 205

Pittsburgh, PA 15217

(412) 422-1774

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