University Times

The third annual Oakland Forever festival is adding a day dedicated to technology and startups and another day focusing on fashion and art, closing down Oakland Avenue for some of the free event.

The Oct. 8-10 happening “opens people’s eyes to what’s around town here,” says Jonathan Winkler, spokesperson for the Oakland Business Improvement District. OBID (www.OnlyinOakland.org) is teaming with Pitt, the City of Pittsburgh, Community Human Services, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the Oakland Task Force and the Oakland Transportation and Management Association to put on the event.

Tech Thursday on Oct. 8 partners with Revv Oakland, a startup membership community, to host a “tech crawl” 5-8 p.m. in Revv’s office (3710 Forbes Ave.), allowing local residents to tour its 18 companies, and offering hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The day also includes visits to the offices of NoWait (122 Meyran Ave.), Stitch Fix (115 Atwood St.) and the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (3520 Forbes Ave.).

Fashion Friday, on Oct. 9, turns Oakland Avenue into a runway with models, celebrity judges and DJs. Artist Baron Batch will be creating pop art on site, alongside fashion trucks such as The Vintage Valet, Broke Little Rich Girl, The Style Truck and Highway Robbery Vintage.

The plans for Saturday, Oct. 10, are still in flux, due to the late announcement of the Pitt football game kickoff time.

—Marty Levine