This is, without a shadow of doubt, my favorite festival in Pittsburgh!  \n\nWhere else can you be entertained, check out unique art and stuff your face with oh so bad but oh so good fair food?!  At the Three Rivers Arts Festival my friend!  Nothing kicks off the start of summer in Pittsburgh quite like a trip down.\n\nIt's been so interesting watching the fest evolve with the times as well  as the change in venue.  For ages the fest was completely down at Point State Park.  The park then was closed in 2006 for remodeling.  Those were some sad times in terms of placement.  \n\nI remember the one year they had the stage right in the middle of the intersection of Liberty and Stanwix.  It had rained (which some say is an Arts Fest curse) and the whole thing was a mud pit.  Throw in that it was a tiny space with a lot of people jammed in and you've got some issues.  I didn't mind them switching the booths to Gateway Center, although it can definitely get more crowded than when it was completely in the park.  \n\nWhen the park finally reopened in 2008 they kept most of the art booths in Gateway Center and the concessions at the park along with the stage  The one change was that they were all located at the beginning of the park.  I'm not really a fan of where the stage is placed.  I miss it being on the inside of the park instead of being on the outside edge.  From what I understand, and this could be a total rumor, they didn't want too many people walking and trampling the grass inside.  That's lame if that is the truth....it's a park!\n\nAnd although sadly I can't afford a lot of the various pieces of art on display, it is really interesting to see what people come up with.  I'm a total Pittsburgh nerd in the fact that I love seeing all the Pittsburgh themed artwork.  It's a fun way to see an artists interpretation of the city.  I also love watching the different themes that come in over the years.  This year it seemed as if glass Mosaic artwork was popular.\n\nMy all time favorite booth is the Illustrations done by Greg Stones.  He's been here for the past couple years and I'm proud to say it was my first piece of artwork I bought from the fest!  Yay!  He does goofy little illustrations with penguins, sheep and zombies just to name a few.  You MUST check out his site.\n\nhttp://mysite.verizon.net/bgstones/index.htm\n\nThe music varies from year to year but they've brought in some great artists.  Some even before they broke out into the \"big time,\" like Norah Jones and The Black Keys.  I've also enjoyed seeing Aimee Mann and an incredible 3 hour set by Wilco.  \n\nOf course, who can go here without indulging in a kielbasa and kraut dog or a fried Oreo?  Glutenous or culinary creation?  You be the judge!  Either way, I always leave happy, stuffed and just a little bit more cultured!