Laini’s List of 9 Things To Do in the Lehigh Valley This Weekend – New Year’s Weekend!
1. Take the Whole Family out for Live Music
Friday from 7 to 11 pm, Godfrey Daniel’s, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem
Three generations of homegrown Godfrey’s with Dave Fry, Dina Hall and Brittany Ann. Each will do a solo set, then come together for classic folk tunes. Expect lots of harmony and a guest or two. It’s a show for the whole family. And don’t worry about having to be here for the whole thing. Bring the kids early, get dinner and come back when you’re ready.
2. Watch the Crayola Crayon Drop
Friday starting at 5:30 with Crayola Crayon Drop and Fireworks at 8:30, Centre Square and Two Rivers Landing, Easton
This is a first-time ever event in honor of the Crayola Factory’s 15th Anniversary and good for all ages. There will be Glow Hoopers & UV Dancers (interactive hooping, too!), the Valley Steel Drum Ensemble and lots of activities inside and out for kids of all ages. If you act soon, you may still be able to get a dinner reservation at one of the surrounding restaurants.
3. Countdown in Downtown
Friday from 8pm to 12:30am, Chriskindlmarkt Campus, Bethlehem
New Years Eve + a little bit of Musikfest = GOOD TIMES! Party with Igor & Red Elvises as you enjoy a sneak peek of Musikfest 2011 and the types of entertainment you’ll enjoy year-round at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks! Plus, Ricky Smith & The Crush, Improv comedy by The N Crowd, Glassblowing & Ice carving demos, Food, wine & beer (available for purchase) and more!
4. Party with a Capital “P”!
Bars and Clubs all over the Valley until all hours of the night
Do you want to get dressed up, hear a live band or DJ and dance until you don’t remember what year it is? Lots and lots of options including but not limited to Drinky’s, Mezze Luna, Larry Holmes’ Ringside, Firehouse, and Starters Riverport. Some have a cover, some do not. Make sure you start the new year off right and have or be a designated driver or call a cab. Be prepared to wait for up to an hour for a cab in the Valley depending where you are and what time it is. You can put the # in your phone now.
Yellow Cab of Easton: 610-258-9141, Easton; Lehigh Valley Taxi: 610-867-6000, Bethlehem; Premium Taxi: 610-433-7550, Allentown
5. Pay Homage to the Peeps
Friday from Noon to 5pm, Peeps Chick Drop and Fireworks at 5:45pm and Midnight, Spring and Main Sts. (Chriskindlmarkt Tents), Historic Bethlehem
Celebrate the last day of Peeps Fest, and the year at Mascot Day. Hang out with the Just Born PEEPS® Chick, PEEPS® Mobile and other Just Born, Inc. mascots and see them come together with other local mascots.
6. Cozy Midnight Champagne with the Doug Hawk Proposition
Friday starting at 9pm, Sette Luna Tuscan Trattoria, 219 Ferry St., Easton
Great food, wine, music and company at one of the Valley’s best restaurants. Champagne toast at midnight.
7. Sleep in Someone Else’s Bed
I know what you’re thinking and that’s not what I mean! I mean make a reservation, pack a bag and start the year with clean sheets, a champagne toast and a breakfast that someone else makes for you. Check out the Lafayette Inn in Easton and the Sayre Mansion in Bethlehem. Then change your sheets when you get home so your sheets are clean there, too. 🙂
8. See a Movie in a Real Movie Theatre on New Year’s Day
Saturday and Sunday at 1:30pm, Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 19th Street, Allentown
See Civic Theatre’s New Years animated special, Mary and Max, Winner of 5 major animation awards, including the Feature Film Award at the 2009 Annecy International Animated Film Festival and the Grand Prize at the 2009 Ottawa International Animation Festival. Voices by Toni Collette, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Eric Bana, Barry Humphries. From Oscar-winning animator Adam Elliot (Best Animated Short Film, 2004 – Harvie Krumpet).
9. Eat Some Sauerkraut + Pork + Beans + Rice + . . .
After 12am January 1, 2011, Your Kitchen, Your Friend’s Kitchen, Maybe My Kitchen, too (the vegetarian version)
Because we still need an excuse to eat, it’s the New Year’s Day traditional food feast time. So read this article, make a list, head to the food store and cook for good luck! Oh, and if you know of any restaurants with New Year’s Day specials, please post them below.
Happy New Year, Lehigh Valley! Wishing you much health, love and prosperity in 2011.