Sizzling Summer Fun: 5 July Events in WashCo You'll Want on Your Calendar

Return to your roots in rebellion at this year’s Whiskey Rebellion Festival, July 11-12 in downtown Washington! Held in the very place where America’s first rebellion over a federal tax took root in 1791, this lively festival brings history to life with reenactments, demonstrations and period exhibits. But it’s not all history – festivalgoers can also enjoy a full live music schedule, food, craft vendors, family activities, and plenty of whiskey and other libations.

This year’s live music schedule includes acts like Dan Baker, Knob Road, Amanda Fish and headlining act The Commonheart.

The Whiskey Rebellion Festival is July 11-12 in downtown Washington and is free to attend.

Returning for its fourth year at EQT Park, home of the Washington Wild Things, the Three Rivers Celebrity Softball Game is one you’ll want to be there to see. Hosted by Dorin Dickerson and featuring a lineup of both Pittsburgh-area and national celebrities, including several Pittsburgh Steelers players, the game benefits The Heyward House: the Cameron Heyward Foundation.

The Three Rivers Celebrity Softball Game is July 14 at EQT Park. Tickets are $15 and are available here.

Trust us - this isn’t your average backyard wiffle ball game. The Sheetz National Wiffle League Association Tournament, now in its 14^th year, is once again returning to Washington County. Over the course of two days, more than 50 wiffle ball games will be played at North Strabane Park, with the championship game airing on ESPN+.

What makes this tournament so exciting to watch isn’t just about the growing popularity of it – the holes in the plastic ball allow pitchers to make it drop or curve dramatically, which means every pitch is unpredictable to spectators. In addition to the games, spectators will want to attend the Welcome Event and home run derby at Bubba's Gourmet Burghers & Beer in Southpointe. 

The NWLA Tournament is July 18-20 at North Strabane Park.

When a festival has “summer” built into the name, you know it’s going to bring the heat. A beloved community tradition for the last 30 years, McSummerfest draws crowds from all over the region each year for a week of fair food, fireworks, rides, family fun and more. There’s even an entire week of live music on the lineup that includes acts like Ledfoot Lover, Radio Tokyo, Velveeta and the Timothy Earl Band, among others.

McSummerfest isn’t just all about the fun, either: the entire event is put on by and benefits the McDonald Volunteer Fire Department, so everything is for a good cause.

McSummerfest is July 26 – August 2 at Heritage Park in McDonald, PA. The fest is usually closed Sunday but is open this year for an extra day of fun.

Saddle up for some serious on-track excitement - the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids is returning to Hollywood Casino at The Meadows for another year of heart-pounding fun! The race (or races, as there are 16 race events happening throughout the day) is Pennsylvania’s biggest harness race with its own lineup of events and stars on the track. For those unfamiliar with harness racing, it’s a form of horseracing where horses race at a trot or pace while pulling a driver in a special type of cart called a sulky.

The entire event is free to attend and spectators are encouraged to dress for the Orchids theme in their very best purple outfits. This event is family-friendly. 

The Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids is July 26 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

July is a packed month, so other events worth mentioning are: BowieLIVE - The Ultimate David Bowie Tribute (July 12), the Duncan Miller Glass Show & Sale (July 12-13), Rodgers' & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music (July 18-20, 25-27), Pittsburgh Polo Club Match: USA vs. Argentina (July 19), WPT Farm Games (July 19), Almost Taylor - Live Tribute to Taylor Swift (July 26), and more. If you want get notified about events at the start of every month, sign up for our newsletter!