CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Help others in need and stay for the free music, salsa lessons, face painting and theater.
The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, or PSF, will host its inaugural Community Day Saturday, July 1 at DeSales University.
The event will feature family-friendly activities, Latin and Renaissance music, and a donation drive with several local nonprofits.
- The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival hosts its first free Community Day on July 1 at DeSales University
- The event features live music, dance lessons, a meet-and-greet with cast, face painting and a donation drive
- Lehigh Valley food trucks, Seven Sirens Brewing Company and Triple Spirits will sell food and adult beverages
"We are excited to collaborate and partner with local businesses to present a day full of fun, food, live performances, and more for the entire family," PSF Artistic Director Jason King Jones said in a release.
Face painting, food trucks
The event begins at 10 a.m. at "The Mall" at DeSales with children's story time at 10 a.m. and a meet-and-greet with the cast of "James and the Giant Peach" at 11 a.m.
In addition, there will be face painting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stick around "The Mall" area beginning at noon when food trucks arrive and the Street Team and DJs from La Mega Radio (99.5-FM)play a mix of salsa, merengue, bachata and reggaetón.
Confirmed food vendors are Dunkin' Donuts, Greek Street, May Contain Foodity, Mon & Mel’s Sweet Scoops, Nick’s BBQ, The Perk Up Truck, Puerto Rican Cultural Preservation Kiosk, Sweet Treats Funnel Cake Bar and Take A Taco.
"We are excited to collaborate and partner with local businesses to present a day full of fun, food, live performances, and more for the entire family."Jason King Jones, artistic director of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival
For the over 21-crowd: grab a beverage from Seven Sirens Brewing Company or Triple Sprits Co.
Become a salsero, meet furry friends
The festival's "On the Green" section will feature live music starting at 2 p.m.
The Combo Melaza Salsa Band takes the stage at 4 p.m., following dance lessons with actor and musician Héctor Flores Jr. at 5 p.m.
Practice Flores' moves when Combo Melaza continues their set at 5:30.
At 6 p.m. meet the doggies from Lehigh Valley Therapy Dogs, who take the stage for a presentation sure to generate some smiles.
Free and ticketed performances
Over at the Trexler Library Stage, there will be plenty of free shows highlighting PSF's 2023 season.
Enjoy the sounds of Renaissance music at 2 p.m., followed by "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at 4 p.m. and a presentation by Lehigh Valley Therapy Dogs at 4 p.m.
In need of more Shakespeare?
Tickets are still available for the "The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]," which takes place on the Library Stage at 6:30 p.m.
Also, the Schubert Theater hosts a free solo piece by Gabe Moses at 5 p.m. and a ticketed performance of "In the Heights" at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Donate goods, stuffed toys
Start the month of July by doing a good deed for others.
Several organizations are hosting drives in "The Mall" area from noon to 5 p.m.
Operation Address The Homeless, or O.A.T.H, will accept cleaning supplies (laundry detergent, Dawn dish soap) and bathroom supplies (Ajax, shower curtains, bathroom rugs). Click here to view a full list of accepted donation items.
Help a child smile: Emily’s Hug Mee Drive will gather Squishmallows for children with cancer.
Second Harvest Food Bank is collecting canned fruits, vegetables, meat, cooking staples such as ketchup and mustard and select toiletries for men and women. Click here to view a full list of accepted donations.
Additionally, schedule an appointment to donate blood at the Miller-Keystone Blood Center and learn more about the donation process.
The event is rain or shine. In the event of rain there will be an indoor location on campus at 2755 Station Avenue. For info, click here.
