Get Out: Memorial Day Weekend

With all this rain, and more predicted, it seems like maybe we should be boarding an Ark instead of trying to plan the next outdoor adventure but, all this rain is making everything so green, it is hard not to think that it some sort of blessing. So, instead of ranting about the rain, get out and celebrate being alive this Memorial Day weekend.

Let us not forget why we have this three day weekend. Memorial Day commemorates the brave men and women who died in our nation’s military service. ArtsQuest is hosting a special three day celebration at the SteelStacks Campus on the Southside of Bethlehem that will feature patriotic-themed concerts, films and programs, with a special memorial service.

All weekend, MayFair Festival of the Arts will be rockin’ out loud at Cedar Beach Park. A short car ride away, get “Fully Charged” by witnessing some adrenaline pumping human stunts this weekend at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.  If that doesn’t get you on the edge of your seat, some baseball will. The Iron Pigs play the Rochester Red Wings all weekend in what seems like a sure win for the Pigs.

Saturday morning stop by at the Promenade for some free Jelly Belly Samples and fun while Jelly Belly is on Tour and do a little shopping while you’re at it. If you would rather leave Suburbia this weekend, there are two really great nature orientated outings that the whole family can enjoy — the Live Animal Show at Nockamixon State Park and the Farm Animal Frolic at Quiet Valley.  Both are an experience that will help cultivate not only an appreciation for animals but also for life itself.

Saturday night commune with the Angel Band with Chasing June at the Upper Milford Municipal Center for an intimate concert that rivals the Dixie Chicks’ sound. There is something for everyone this weekend to get out and celebrate life and commemorate the sacrifice of our military heroes in spite of the rainy days.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND PLANNER

*MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES AT LIVING MEMORIAL PARK

Where/When: Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park, 10am Monday May 30

Why Go: To honor the true reasonfor the day off. Southern Lehigh HS Band is also set to play.

Pricing: Free

* FULLY CHARGED (RINGLING BROTHERS AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS)
WHERE/WHEN: Giant Center, Hershey, Friday, 7:30 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., & Sunday, 1:00p.m. and 5:00 p.m. 
WHY GO: Not since Evil Knievel have you witnessed the dare-devil, never seen before, super human stunts to entertain all ages.  Come to the show an hour early to meet the performers and animals. 
PRICING: $16 - $80/ticket, Use code 'MOMS' for $15/ticket at Tickets

* LV IRON PIGS VS ROCHESTER RED WINGS (MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)
WHERE/WHEN: Coca Cola Park, 1050 Iron Pigs Way, Allentown, Friday, 7:05 p.m. Saturday, 6:35 p.m. Sunday 1:35 p.m.
WHY GO: What’s Memorial Day weekend without some all-American baseball? Support the hometown team, grab a hotdog, a cold brew and relax as the Iron Pigs add another to the win column. Don’t forget, Friday and Saturday night fireworks are a blast!

PRICING: General admission $6, Field Level $9.

* HOMETOWN HEROES (STEELSTACKS CAMPUS)
WHERE/WHEN: SteelStacks Campus, Southside Bethlehem, Saturday - Monday, noon – 8:00 p.m.
WHY GO: SteelStacks will be transformed in a living memorial to our hometown heroes with their images decorating the campus in honor and gratitude for their sacrifice. Blue Star Mothers will be collecting comforts for the deployed troops, letters from home will be read and various performers will commemorate the heroes with their music. A special memorial service is set for Monday at 3 p.m.

PRICING: Hometown Heroes is FREE!!!. Nothin’ unpatriotic about that! Sponsored by Embassy Bank.

* MEMORIAL DAY (MUSIKFEST CAFE)
WHERE/WHEN: Musikfest Cafe, Southside Bethlehem, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Nanci Griffith; Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; and Monday, 7:30 p.m. Daniel Rodriguez, “The Singing Policeman.”

WHY GO: Part of the ArtsQuest Memorial Day Celebration, get your patriotism on with live performances.

PRICING: Saturday performance, $54 balcony/$44 cabaret; Sunday $49 balcony/$39 cabaret and Monday performance $35 Balcony / $25 cabaret. Active and retired military will receive a special discount..

* JELLY BELLY ON TOUR (Fuzziwig's Candy Factory)
WHERE/WHEN: Saucon Valley Promenade, 2845 Center Valley Parkway, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHY GO: Fun, games, freebies … need I say more. 
PRICING: Free Jelly Belly Jelly Bean Samples and Fun.

* LIVE ANIMAL SHOW (AARK WILDLIFE REHABILITATION &EDUCATION CENTER)
WHERE/WHEN: Nockamixon State Park, Education Center 1542 Mountain View Dr. Quakertown, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
WHY GO: An educational experience on conservation and compassion, this live animal discuss what to do if you come across injured animals, hawks and small mammals with animals that have been brought to the center, being cared for or cannot be released back into the wild.
PRICING: Free!!! Just show up.

* 23RD ANNUAL FARM ANIMAL FROLIC (QUIET VALLEY HISTORICAL FARM)
WHERE/WHEN: 1000 Turkey Hill Rd. Stroudsburg, Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
WHY GO: It happens every spring but, it is new every time you witness the birth of the baby chicks hatching from their eggs. Also welcome the newly arrived lambs, goats, piglets, cows and bunnies down on the farm. Activities for all ages and plenty of country home-cooking make a great family outing for this Memorial Day Weekend.
PRICING: Admission, Adults $8.00 Children (3-12) $5.00 Free Parking

* ANGEL BAND WITH CHASING JUNE (LISTEN LIVE MUSIC)
WHERE/WHEN: Upper Milford Municipal Center, 5671 Chestnut Street, Zionsville, Saturday, 8:00 P.M. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.)

WHY GO: This band is the Dixie Chicks not yet hatched! Come see these femme folk fatales rock the blues, country and gospel genre with their strong voices.

PRICING: Tickets, $21 - $82.50. The Valley Grind, ticket Outlet.

* MAYFAIR FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS (25 YEARS OF PURE IMAGINATION)

WHERE/WHEN: Cedar Beach Park, Allentown, Friday – Sunday noon – 11:00 p.m.
WHY GO: It’s like Musikfest light, same great taste but a lot less filling. Dancers, storytellers, art & crafts exhibits, food and musical acts both local and national. Also, hands-on activities for crafty kids makes this another family friendly event outside and alive.
PRICING: Single day admission $4, Multiday admission $8, Concert Tickets $15 - $20