finlay is five, originally uploaded by papalamour.
Five years ago, right around this time, a half-dozen or so bloggers in the Pittsburgh area were reading each others’ blogs, commenting, and generally marveling at the discovery that each of us was not alone — that there were not a few folks in the region who had started writing online.
We were a motley collection, writing about politics or sports or writing or random cultural flotsam. While there was no unity of theme, we shared a passion for sharing.
Several bloggers made extensive effort to compile blogrolls of Pittsburgh blogs. Everyone linked to everyone, but it was hard to tell which blogs were about what.
As I recall it, then two things happened. First, Mike Woycheck started on his own to create a site both to list and to aggregate the posts of all the Pittsburgh blogs (an ambitious undertaking indeed). Second, independently, some of the bloggers (Vanessa & Christina, Anne, and I) decided we should all get together and have lunch or a drink or something, in real life rather than just online.
Somehow the two efforts became combined, and we found ourselves with a website — www.PghBloggers.org — and a social event — the first Pittsburgh BlogFest.
Both efforts got off to strong starts. About 20 bloggers attended the first BlogFest. The shocking thing was not the size of the crowd but how well we enjoyed each others company. We immediately made plans to make a habit of convening.
Notably, Mike Woycheck was unable to attend the first fest, but he proceeded to make up for his absence by constructing and launching the website on which we depend to this day.
I don’t know the exact date of the launch. (Please comment if you do.) What I do know is that it’s time to celebrate.
Pittsburgh BlogFest 19: Happy birthday to us!
Come meet your fellow bloggers and social media types in a friendly, unstructured setting. BlogFest is an informal and friendly quarterly gathering of local bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and anyone who enjoys life on the Internet. It’s more happy hour than meeting: No talks will be given, no credentials required.
WHAT: Pittsburgh Blogfest 19
WHEN: FRIDAY, November 20, 2009, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM and beyond
WHERE: Finnegan’s Wake (near PNC Park, 20 General Robinson St., North Shore, 412-325-2601), in the Pub Room
WHO: All local bloggers, podcasters, and social media folk of all stripes (and their friends… feel free to bring some even if they don’t blog!)Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Finnegan’s Wake, as always. Arrive when you like, leave when you must.
SMOKING NOTE: As always, the room in which we’ll be blogfesting will be smoke-free.
If you plan to attend, please send an e-mail to blogfest AT pghbloggers.org
Or to RSVP, leave a comment below. I hope to see you there.
We will post on our Event Calendar and help spread the word – Great Event!!