The Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival

Pittsburgh claims to be the pierogi capital, and you know what, they just might be right. This past weekend my family and I traveled to Kennywood Park to check out the annual Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival, which to pierogi lovers is akin to a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. And while that comparison might be a bit hyperbolic, the Pierogi Festival is a sight to see (and taste).

From traditional pierogi, to pierogi with fun fillings, to funky pierogi fusions – pierogi tacos (which by the way, are amazing), pierogi nachos, pierogi lasagna, rogie’ cone (a waffle cone filled with mac ‘n cheese and slaw and topped with two pierogi), pierogi topped with brisket - the list goes on and on.

It’s impossible to try them all. This year’s event featured more than two dozen vendors from four states selling more than 100 pierogi, pierogi-inspired dishes and pierogi themed swag as well as plenty of live polka music.

The Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival is a one-of-a-kind event. I highly recommend you put this on your radar for next year.

Is it even a pierogi fest if you don’t get a picture with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Racing Pierogies?

One of the best part of the Pierogi Fest is the fashion and people watching. These pictures don’t do it justice. There were so many pierogi t-shirts featuring pierogi puns, cartoons, and clever sayings.

Baby’s 1st pierogi: All though it was my families first time at the Pierogi Fest, it was also another big milestone: my niece’s first experience trying pierogi (or a spoonful of pierogi filling). As we all expected, she loved it! Maybe by next year she’ll get to try and whole pierogi.

Pro tip: The lines for the roller coasters are super short at the end of the day. If your pierogi-filled stomach can handle the centripetal force, I highly recommend it. When not hosting a pierogi festival, Kennywood Park is a great old-timey amusement park, with rickety wooden roller coasters, newer metal loop de loop coasters, and more.