This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Get Out: Summer Fun is Not Over

Run wild at the Lehigh Valley Zoo; walk with the arts in Downtown Bethlehem.

Most schools will return to session on Monday, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of summer fun. There is still fun to be had while making sure the kids have everything they need for the first day of class.

Love watching Olympic gymnastics but hate having to wait four years to see it on television? Now, professional competitive gymnastics comes to Stabler Arena in “Evolution,” bringing with it male and female Olympic legends and nationally ranked champions. 

For a walk on the wild side, step out to Musikfest Café for a night of space-age lounge music that only Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica can arrange. Truly, a unique experience! 

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Go really wild and find your shaker and salt at the Lehigh Valley Zoo where the tribute band Parrot Beach will play your favorite Jimmy Buffett tunes while you are served up margaritas, beer, cheeseburgers and more. 

For a not so wild but equally fun adventure that you can take the kids to, go to Downtown Bethlehem for the Art Walk where you can meet the artists, grab a bite and listen to live music.

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If by Sunday you are still up for a wild time, take a trip back to the zoo for Run Wild, the 5 and 10K run or 1-mile walk that will help raise funds to benefit the zoo. Stick around to say hi to your favorite animals. Admission to the zoo is included in your registration.  

Another fundraiser benefiting animals, , is a vendor fair, auction and scrapbooking event to help raise money for the Center for Animal Health and Welfare in Williams Township.

Of course, no summer weekend would be complete without a trip to Coca-Cola Park for IronPigs baseball. Time is running out, though. Catch the last of their regular season home games in the next week.

Summer is quickly coming to an end so go wild while you can.

 

THIS WEEKEND'S WILD PICKS:

“EVOLUTION” GYMNASTIC COMPETITION (PROFESSIONAL GYMNASTICS)

  • WHERE/WHEN: 124 Goodman Drive, Stabler Arena, Bethlehem, Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m.
  • WHY GO: This is a chance to see Olympic and nationally-ranked champion gymnasts compete head-to-head. The skill, precision and execution of talent in events such as the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercises take gymnastic competition to the next level. 
  • COST: Tickets, $14.50 bleacher, $39.50 Concourse, $49.50 Lower Concourse

 

ART WALK (DOWNTOWN BETHLEHEM ASSOCIATION)

  • WHERE/WHEN: Broad & Main streets, Bethlehem, Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m.
  • WHY GO: Downtown Bethlehem comes alive with local artists and musicians as they perform their craft to the delight of all. Kids' corner is open until 7 p.m., with hands-on activities for kids. Meet the artists and listen to live music. Art will be available for purchase and all the shops, restaurants, museums and galleries in the Downtown will be open for business.
  • COST: Free.

 

MR. HO’s ORCHESTROTICA (ARTSQUEST)

  • WHERE/WHEN: Musikfest Cafe, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, 7:30 p.m.
  • WHY GO: The experience will be unforgettable and out of this world. This 22-piece band led by the talented Mr. Ho (Brian O’Neill) presents the supersonic, space-aged bachelor pad sound of Juan Garcia Esquivel. 
  • COST: Tickets, $42 balcony, $32 cabaret

 

MUSIC & RUN WILD (LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO)

  • WHERE/WHEN: Lehigh Valley Zoo, 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, Saturday, (Music) 6 to 10 p.m. & Sunday, (Run Wild) Registration at 7 a.m., Run at 8 a.m. & Walk at 9:50 a.m.
  • WHY GO: Saturday, the zoo opens for adults 21 and over, with libations, music and dancing on the wild side. On Sunday, unleash your inner cheetah and run wild with the animals through the Trexler Nature Preserve and Lehigh Valley Zoo in a 5 or 10K run. For those who like a more leisurely pace, the 1-mile walk begins at 9:50 a.m. Registration includes admission to the zoo.
  • COST: Tickets, Music - $10; Registration, Run Wild 5/10K - $25, Fun Run - $15/Individual, $25/Family up to 6, proceeds benefit the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

 

LV IRONPIGS VS. SYRACUSE CHIEFS (MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL)

  • WHERE/WHEN: Coca-Cola Park, 1050 Iron Pigs Way, Allentown, Sunday, 5:35 p.m.
  • WHY GO: The IronPigs return from a weekend away with a Sunday evening game--their last Sunday home game in the regular season. You might even be one of the lucky 2,000 guests to receive a Scott Mathieson T-shirt.  
  • COST: Tickets, $9 field level, $6 grass seating.

 

CRAFTING FOR PAWS ()

  • WHERE/WHEN: Christ Church UCC, 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem, Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m.
  • WHY GO: Supporting our furry friends at the Center for Animal Health and Welfare has never been so easy. Stop by the vendor fair from 1 to 6 p.m. and browse the vendor tables which will include Miche Bags, Premier Jewelry, Close to My Heart, Tracy Bodeo Photography and many more. There will also be a bake sale, silent auction and yard sale. Cats will be available for adoption. will offer a crop opportunity and classes that includes dinner.
  • COST: Registration for cropping classes, $30; sponsored by Scrapbooking’s Inn of Hellertown.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?