Laini’s List of Things to Do This Weekend in the Lehigh Valley – July 20–22
By Laini Abraham and Katie Vogel
1. Blueberry Festival 2012
Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 7pm, Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem
It’s time for the annual Blueberry Festival at Burnside Plantation this week. Families can come out and enjoy crafts, food, and games. There will also be live music, colonial brewing demonstrations, and of course no blueberry themed festival would be complete without a blueberry pie eating contest! Tickets for the are $8 for adult, $7 for seniors, $4 for children (6-16), and free for those 5 and under.
2. Firebird Theatre: James and the Giant Peach
Friday, 6pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 2pm, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 417 N. 7th St., Allentown
A childhood classic comes to life this weekend as Firebird Theater presents James and the Giant Peach! This is the first weekend for the show based off of the book by Roald Dahl, an author known for his unique imagery and vivid imagination. The price of admission is a suggested $10 donation to help fund future Firebird Children’s Theater productions as well as other projects on 7th Street of Allentown.
3. Prickles and Goo
Saturday, 6pm to 10pm, Our Garage Space, 43 North Sitgreaves Street, Easton
Our Garage Space is at it again with another great art show. Saturday marks the opening reception for Prickles and Goo, a collection of work by artists Chaz Hampton, Charles Vail, John Muraco & Tom D’Angelo. There will also be music by Bread and Honey at the show to accompany the art ensemble.
4. Katie’s Pick—Lehigh Valley Sports Fest
Thursday through Sunday, Times vary by event, Cedar Beach Park and other locations, Allentown
You don’t have to be a professional to be an athlete, but at the Lehigh Valley Sports Fest you can show off your skills, or watch others show off theirs. This multi-day event features a huge number of athletic competitions to check out. You may even find the next athletic activity to get you motivated. There will also be a health and fitness expo to promote the benefits of exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Remember you don’t have to be good at an exercise or a sport to be healthy or an athlete, you just have to do it.
5. Easton’s Night of Summer Laughs — Rescheduled due to weather
Friday, 7pm, Riverside Amphitheater, Larry Holmes Dr, Easton
Everybody loves to laugh, and stand-up comics are professional laugh makers. This Friday, Easton’s Riverside Amphitheater will host a trio of some very funny people that will have you rolling on the floor. Easton’s Night of Summer Laughs will be headlined by Pete Dominick, and feature Mark DeMayo, with Easton’s very own and very funny Liz Russo as the evening’s host. This event is free to the public, however some of the comedy material contains adult content and is intended for audiences 18 and over.
6. Earth is Overrated
Saturday, 6pm to 8pm, Allentown Brew Works, 818 West Hamilton St., Allentown
It’s an art show that’s out of this world at the Allentown Brew Works this Saturday. This sci-fi themed art show will feature the works of many talented local artists. There will be light refreshments available as well as $2 draft specials. This is a great show to go check out and have a chance to meet the artists themselves.
7. Zucchini 500
Saturday, 11am, Centre Square, Easton
Indianapolis has the Indy 500. Easton has the Zucchini 500. Put your engineering skills to the test this weekend and carve your own zucchini car to compete in the races. NASCAR official, Peter Brohl will be on hand, waving the checkered flags and judging the competition. There is also a $6 racing fee that includes a zucchini of your choice, wheels, axels, commemorative racing necklace and access to carving tools.
8. Specialized Test the Best Demo Tour
Sunday, 9am to 3pm, Walking Purchase Park, Salisbury
If you’re a cyclist or someone looking to become one, then the Test the Best Demo is the event for you. Sponsored by Cutter’s Bike Shop in Bethlehem, The Specialized Mountain Demo Truck will be coming to Salisbury for the Endurorama event to show off some of their products. This is a great chance to check out some great bikes, ride them around, and ask questions regarding everything you ever wanted to know about bikes.
9. Karel Mikolas: Drawing and Sculpture — Sorry, also canceled.
Saturday, 5pm to 10pm, Amber Connection, 420 Chestnut Street, Emmaus
If there is one thing the Lehigh Valley has a lot of, it’s great artists. This Saturday is yet another opening reception, this time for artist Karel Mikolas. The Amber Connection is thrilled to showcase the works of this unique artist. European- born Karel Mikolas resides in Pennsylvania, works with a variety of sculpting mediums, and has been featured in many exhibits across the country. It is a real treat to have his works displayed here and is a can’t-miss for anyone looking creative inspiration.