Arts & Culture

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.

Jayna Elise, who auditioned on "Idol" in both Season 21 in 2023 and Season 22 the past spring, recently was chosen for the role of Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, which performs at Easton's State Theatre on Oct. 1-2.

Allentown Fair’s main Grandstand stage is inarguably one of its biggest draws — offering top music, performances and other acts in the Lehigh Valley’s largest-capacity arena. Here's how we rank this year's headliners.

Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte and accompanying pumpkin-flavor coffee customizations are set to return Thursday. Local coffee shops plan to bring back — or already have — seasonal favorites, too.

Tonya Johnson, known affectionately as "Mama B," cheered on her son in New Orleans while wearing a custom-made sequin jacket by Bethlehem designer Lara Bly.

A new tradition is taking shape in Easton, with the Big Easy Easton Brass Band encouraging people to assemble Krewes for a Mardi Gras parade and ball with a $1,000 cash prize.

A pair of river otters at the Lehigh Valley Zoo offered their predictions for the winner of Super Bowl LIX during the zoo's annual Otter Bowl. Eagles fans may not like it, depending on their perspective.

"The Geologic Podcast" is no geology. Just Geo(rge) and his logic. Writing sketches and voicing multi-character dialogues has landed a Bethlehem podcaster a Hall of Fame spot.

Bethlehem native Michael Joyce spent 25 years working in restaurants in Philadelphia and New York City. After developing a passion for baking bread and studying local grain, he opened Bub's Breads within Lit Coffee Roastery & Bakeshop.

The Love, Lust & Marriage tour by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites offers insight into the intimate life of Moravians. The tour runs through Feb. 22 at the Moravian Museum on Church Street.

From Coplay to Caesar's Superdome: Saquon Barkley made a name for himself at Whitehall High and Penn State. He's been a top performer in the NFL this season. Here are Barkley's best plays of the 2024 season ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

A dozen Pennsylvania puppies will compete for the "Lombarky" trophy and Most Valuable Puppy starting at 2 p.m. Sunday.

V Spehar became famous for UnderTheDeskNews, explaining complex topics in a conversational, to-the-point fashion. On Thursday night, Spehar gave a Q&A with Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble.

Mac Powell, who led Christian rock band Third Day to produce 13 gold and platinum albums, will perform at Calvary Baptist Church in Bethlehem Township. Also on the bill are contemporary Christian band Cochran & Co. and songwriter Jon Reddick.

These local businesses are gearing up for Super Bowl Sunday by offering some Eagles-themed eats.

Win or lose in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is viewed as a champion in his hometown of Whitehall and throughout the Lehigh Valley.