Arts & Culture

At the Allentown Fair grandstand on Thursday, the hyperactivity was dialed back a measure for Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, and the kids — who made up about half the audience of perhaps 3,000 — were at least exposed to learning.

The crowd at Allentown Fair for Cheap Trick and Blue Oyster Cult was there to hear the hits of their youth and — for the most part — got what they wanted.

For the first time, Robbie Furman will showcase his work at the Allentown Fair.

The oppressive heat did not deter folks from making their way to the 172nd Great Allentown Fair at the Allentown Fairgrounds on Wednesday. Great food and drinks, amusement park rides and a variety of events will take place at the fair through Monday, Sept. 2.

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour hits the grandstand stage at Allentown Fair at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Tickets, at $30 each, remain available at the fair website.

Nearly 50 years later, Blue Öyster Cult still is performing, and this year even released "Ghost Stories," its first album of new material in four years and only second in 23 years. The group also will open for fellow 1970s rockers Cheap Trick as the grandstand feature for opening night at Allentown Fair at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28.

The wartime lost portrait by German artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, entitled "Portrait of George the Bearded, Duke of Saxony," has hung at the Allentown Art Museum since 1961.

Bethlehem's SouthSide Arts District has joined with the city and Wawa stores to create what it calls a "Gateway sign" — "a vibrant public art piece that enhances the entrance between Route 412 and SouthSide downtown."

The 2024 Great Allentown Fair runs Wednesday, Aug. 28 through Monday, Sept. 2. We've got a rundown on what you can expect, from the grandstand headliners to the Iron Chef competition and more.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is hosting its annual Brew at the Zoo again in 2024. This year, it falls on Saturday, Sept. 14, and will feature more than three dozen craft beers and ciders.

Officials said demolishing the current facilities and starting from scratch is the most cost-effective option to continue to provide its range of public offerings.

The Smithsonian Institution-affiliate will begin to review applications starting in January.

Musikfest will have a Southern rock band as a headliner next year.

Swifties can celebrate the singer's 34th birthday on ice on Wednesday night.

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries finally gives a first look at what's to come this holiday season when "Miracle in Bethlehem, Pa" premieres. Despite the title, the movie was shot elsewhere and not in the Lehigh Valley.

Musikfest, for the past four years it's been in-person, has added a "preview" night, and already has announced 2024's lineup also will have one. Is Musikfest becoming an 11-day festival?

Emmaus' borough council on Monday introduced an ordinance establishing an official borough historical commission to collaboratively govern efforts towards the historical borough landmarks of the 1803 House, Shelter House and Knauss Homestead.

Local volunteers gather every September to make thousands of 6-inch candles. It's the beginning of a process that takes hours of planning and preparation — and started in Germany in 1747.

LoCash, the duo of Preston Brust and Chris Lucas, which has had three Top 10 Country chart hits, including 2016's No. 1 "I Know Somebody," will perform at 6:30 p.m. July 19 as part of the Sounds of Summer Series concerts at Quakertown's Univest Performance Center.

People can support local artists by shopping at Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks.

Greg Capogna, executive director of the radio station will retire from his position in early 2024.

Christmas tree, oh dusty Christmas tree: how dirty are those branches and how do you clean it? A pulmonologist settles the debate of whether a real or fake tree is better for your health.