America’s 250th birthday isn’t the only milestone to celebrate this year in Pennsylvania. Several community institutions across the state are also celebrating significant anniversaries in 2026.

🍕 In NEPA, Ferri’s Pizza, “The area’s only anthracite coal mine theme pizza shop” (as the takeout box advertises), is celebrating 90 years in business.

🎵 In Philadelphia, the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts (it’ll always be the Mann Music Center to me), turns 50.

Across the state in Erie, another music venue, the King’s Rook—where everyone from Bo Diddley and Alice in Chains to current jam-band kings Goose have played—is also turning 50.

Both local and regional bands say the Rook, whose unique interior decor features part of a school bus, is a vital place to play.

“It’s really important for the live music scene in Erie because there’s not a lot of venues, and they have a big variety of bands,” said Ethan Foulk, singer and guitarist with Kactai. “I think that’s really, really important. Some venues will only book certain acts or cover bands. This is a really good place for people to get their start. And bigger acts come through here.”

And Serafin’s Food Market, which is considered to be Erie’s oldest grocery story, is turning 100.

When Dan Serafin’s grandparents founded Serafin’s Food Market in July 1926, the business at East 24th and Ash streets was one of many family-owned stores that dotted corners throughout Erie.

Sadly, many of those markets disappeared.

But Serafin’s still stands 100 years later. 

“To think that the nation is 250 years old, and we have been here 100 years of that time,” Dan Serafin said. “There have been so many changes.”

A volunteer collects a pile of trash as part of Allegheny CleanWay’s ‘Immaculate Collection’ project before the NFL Draft in April. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

With 500,000 visitors expected to descend on Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft April 23-25, local organizations are seeking volunteers to help do some good around the Steel City.

🌲The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (PPC) are seeking volunteers to help plant approximately 500 trees in and around the city ahead of the draft. 

🌻 The WPC is also leading a beautification project that will install 400 hanging flower baskets in the downtown and in the three Sister Bridges area. It will also include the addition of yellow and black-inspired pansies in 420 street planters around the downtown.

Find information on how to volunteer with the WPC here, and the PPC here.

♻️ Allegheny CleanWays is also coordinating a refuse collection project ahead of the draft dubbed ‘The Immaculate Collection’ in honor of the most iconic play in Steelers history.

Visit the Immaculate Collection website to register as a volunteer at one of the upcoming collection events.

🥪 Pittsburgh also has a plan to avoid food waste at NFL Draft-sanctioned events through a partnership with 412 Food Rescue.

During the draft, 412 Food Rescue volunteers will collect fresh surplus food from stores, caterers, and other partner organizations; the food will then be distributed to local nonprofits to help feed people living with food insecurity, according to the organization’s website.

Get more information about volunteering with the 412 Food Rescue Program here.

• Another big Pennsylvania anniversary: Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos is turning 100, and the centennial celebration will include a revival of the popular boat parade. Get the details here.

• March Madness isn’t your only bracket option right now. The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry has kicked off its annual “Coolest Thing Made in PA” bracket, highlighting Pennsylvania-made products from Crayola crayons and Penn State Creamery Ice Cream to Primanti Bros. sandwiches. Find out how you can participate.

• The popular fried chicken chain Zaxbys is opening its first Pennsylvania location next week. Find out where in this story.

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Dee Curry, a horse trainer from Bensalem, pets Be My Queen, one of her race horses, in its racing stable at Parx’s Backstretch Village, which houses roughly 250 year-round stable hands who live and work with racehorses, in Bensalem on Sept. 22, 2025. (USA Today Network via Reuters Connect)

The next thoroughbred champ may come from Bucks County, and you can literally watch as a star is born on “foal cams.”

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association set up cameras at stables on the campus of Delaware Valley University in Doylestown this month. People can tune in to see a live stream of three expectant mares as they prepare to give birth to the next generation of champion racehorse—maybe even the next Smarty Jones.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

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