The opening of a three-mile stretch of the Great Allegheny Passage, with a trailhead at Munhall's Historic Pump House, has caused a huge jump in cycle traffic at the site. What was once the site of the infamous 1892 lockout and strike at the Homestead Steel Works is now a spot nearly every summer Sunday for the new Community Heritage Market.
The market features "businesses that represent our area's diverse heritage," says Sherris Moreira, spokesperson for
Rivers of Steel, which oversees the site, "including ethnic clubs and foods, traditional and eco-friendly crafters, and a variety of ethnically diverse musicians. Since our vendors change weekly, every week is a different market." And it may be the only area market with docents on site to explain the historical significance of the setting.
Plans for future weeks of the Market -- after taking July 17 off to host a private event -- include live demonstrations, increased numbers of food vendors and musical acts, and perhaps even some short dance or theater performances, Moreira says.
Meanwhile, the Pump House will keep tallying the surprising influx of spoke-driven tourism -- more than 100 cycle-laden vehicles parked each weekend where only 5-10 once waited.
Do Good:
Take part in the Market by contacting Bridget Bradley via
email or by calling 412-464-4020, ext. 46. More information on the Market can be found
here.
Writer:
Marty LevineSource: Sherris Moreira, Rivers of Steel
Image courtesy Rivers of Steel