Twilight Picnic for the Parks: Back in the Swing

Twilight Picnic for the Parks: Back in the Swing made a triumphant return to its in-person fundraising gala Saturday, August 21 under white peaked tents at The Meadow at Hartwood Acres.

This signature fundraiser of the Allegheny County Parks Foundation paused last year to ride out the pandemic but came roaring back, raising nearly $420,000 from corporate and foundation sponsors and individuals. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield served as the Presenting Sponsor this year, joined by Lead Sponsors PNC Financial Group and UPMC Health Plan and Supporting Sponsors Peoples Gas and United States Steel.

Nearly 400 guests swayed to the jazzing tunes of Benny Benack III, who traveled back to his hometown for the weekend from New York City. They dined on an elevated picnic menu of surf and turf prepared by The Fluted Mushroom and lingered in the dessert tent with homemade ice cream sandwiches and assorted sweets.

Nancy Byrnes of Nancy Byrnes Events transformed Hartwood Acres, located behind the Amphitheater, into a festival atmosphere with carnival-style banners and twirling pinwheel centerpieces reflecting the oranges, purples and pinks popping in the late summer meadow surrounding the site. Funds raised from this event will be used in projects such as the meadow and others in all nine county parks in partnership with Allegheny County.