The IceHouse in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is set to host a high-energy Punk & DIY showcase on Thursday, October 16, featuring performances by Toxiq Chameleon, Humilitarian, and Bren.
Lehigh Valley Ghost Stories: Nine Local Legends That Still Haunt the Valley
From historic hotels to hidden tunnels that we’re “certain” exist, the Lehigh Valley has no shortage of eerie tales that blend history with the unexplained.
We asked for a few of your favorites. Here are nine of the region’s most enduring ghost stories, drawn from eyewitness accounts, historical records, and local reporting.
Bethlehem Harvest Fest 2025 in Pictures
Historic Downtown Bethlehem was full of fall spirit during this year’s Harvest Fest, held on Saturday, October 11. Families and friends filled Main and Broad Streets for an afternoon of cozy autumn flavors, live music, and local shopping.
This year’s event featured two tasting trails, Sweet and Savory, each with 12 delicious stops from local favorites such as Franklin Hill Vineyards, The Melting Pot of Bethlehem, Kaleidoscope Collective, and McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub. From pumpkin-spiced treats to hearty seasonal bites, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Win a Pair of Tickets to Lehigh Valley Hollywood Squares!
We’re giving away a pair of tickets to Lehigh Valley “Hollywood” Squares, happening Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6 PM at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, PA.
The Three Best McDonald’s in the Lehigh Valley
There are more than a dozen or so McDonald’s restaurants throughout the Lehigh Valley. On one recent visit to a location below, it got me thinking… Just where are the best McDonald’s in the Lehigh Valley located?
Disclaimer: be sure to visit a local restaurant and support local businesses; but stay with me here, this is still a valid question.
Tea with Ty: Exploring the Heart of Downtown Bethlehem
If you’ve spent time in Historic Downtown Bethlehem, chances are you’ve seen Ty Versocki out and about! As manager of the Downtown Bethlehem Association, Ty has been visiting shops, restaurants, and organizations for the ongoing video series Tea with Ty, giving viewers an inside look at the people and stories that make downtown special.
From conversations with Knobs ‘N Knockers to tours of Hand Cut Crystal, The Bethlehem Food Co-Op, and Franklin Hill Vineyards, Ty shares a slice of life from every corner of the city. The series also spotlights local favorites like Bethlehem Brew Works, The Melting Pot, and Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, showing how each contributes to Bethlehem’s creative and welcoming downtown community.
Mostly Lehigh Valley Basketball Stars
The Lehigh Valley’s got a pretty wild basketball history. Some of the names on this list were born here, others showed up for college or to play with the Allentown Jets, but they all helped put local hoops on the map.
We rounded up a few who stood out the most:
Basketball runs deep in the Lehigh Valley. Some of these players were born and raised here. Others came through for college, for a few pro seasons, or to coach local teams like the Allentown Jets or the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. Together, they helped build a basketball legacy that stretches from packed high school gyms to NBA courts and overseas leagues.
Here are a few names that tell the story.
How We Used AI and a Stolen Phillies Home Run Ball to Reach 7.4 Million People Organically
We set out to see if AI could help us create something that felt more real than a meme. The idea landed right in front of us: the Phillies “Karen” who took a home run ball from a young fan. Silver wig. Glasses. Phillies hoodie. She already looked like a Spirit Halloween costume. So we made one.
12-Foot-Tall Skeleton Crawl and Halloween Decoration Tour 2025
Do you have a Halloween decoration or a 12-Foot-Tall Skeleton in the greater Lehigh Valley?
Want to add it to our public map?
Send us a photo or video and join in the 12-Foot-Tall Skeleton Crawl presented by Banko Beverage Co., a newish Lehigh Valley tradition!
Get your Bar / Restaurant on the Map and let people know where to stop in as they take the tour.
Thank you to our sponsors: Michael Bernadyn with RE/MAX | Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub | WDIY 88.1FM | Wind Creek Event Center
SUBMIT YOUR DECORATION HERE
VIEW THE MAP AT THIS LINK OR BELOW
** Submitting your address will allow us to place it on the public map for people to use to visit Halloween decorations throughout the Lehigh Valley. **
** Please don’t submit information for someone else; only your personal information. **
SHIRTS NOW AVAILABLE!
Fest Friends 2025
Welcome, Fest Friend!
We love Musikfest because of you – the friends, the memories, the fun. Here’s your chance to be part of our Fest Friends project:
- Get your name featured in our Grand Finale Musikfest video of 2025 on @lvwithlove social channels
- Be one of 10 people to receive a free LVwithLOVE Pack, including our special Squonk sticker
- Share a photo or video of you and your best friend for a chance to be featured in a community montage
- Sign up to hear about future Lehigh Valley with Love event, projects, and partners
Fill out the form below, it only takes a minute, and you’ll help us celebrate the community that makes Musikfest so memorable.
Check out our Fest Friends Merch (IG STORY) at Learn about Pennsylvania’s own cryptid, The Squonk
Check out the YouTube Playlist
FEST FRIENDS ENTRY LINK
Thank you to our sponsors: Banko Beverage Company | Wind Creek Event Center | Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX | Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub | WDIY 88.1 FM | Hellertown Historical Society
Fest Friends Tshirts / Charms / Stickers for sale at The Bethlum Shop Merch Tent at Match Platz
Follow @bethlum.shop and @lvwithlove
WZZO Mullet Contest Coming to the Great Allentown Fair!
Lehigh Valley with Love is officially on the judging panel for the first ever WZZO Mullet Contest at the Great Allentown Fair.
It all goes down Saturday, August 30 at 7 PM at the Astound Broadband Farmerama Theater, hosted by Joel and Keith of 95.1 WZZO.
This is not a drill. We’re talking mullets of all shapes and sizes competing across three categories:
– Kid’s Cut (ages 9 and under)
– Teen Tails (ages 10 to 17)
– Adult Mullets (18 and up)
We’re taking our role seriously and even planning our own mullet-inspired haircut to stay on theme. When the hairstyle is this iconic, you have to commit.
The contest will be judged on mullet quality, creativity, and swagger. Prizes, bragging rights, and local fame are all up for grabs.
Deadline to enter is August 8.
Register HERE
See you at the Fair. Come prepared to let it flow.
Bethlehem Area School District Wins Three 2025 NSPRA Awards for Communication Excellence
BETHLEHEM, PA, July 2025 — The Bethlehem Area School District (BASD) is proud to announce it has earned three national honors in the 2025 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards.
The annual NSPRA awards celebrate outstanding work in educational communications, including print and digital publications, videos, social media, infographics, and more. Entries are judged by seasoned communication professionals from across the country.
BASD received the following awards:
- Award of Excellence – Viewbook: LINK
This is NSPRA’s highest honor in its category and highlights BASD’s efforts to visually and effectively showcase the district’s values, achievements, and opportunities to students, families, and the community. - Award of Merit – Video: Edgeboro’s 100th Anniversary: Media coverage
Celebrating a century of the Edgeboro neighborhood in Bethlehem, this video project captured stories from residents, students, and alumni. - Honorable Mention – Video: Southside Greenway Mural Collaboration: VIDEO
This video project documented the creative partnership behind the Southside Greenway mural, showcasing BASD student involvement and community collaboration.
“These awards are a testament to the creative energy and professional excellence of our communications team,” said Dr. Jack P. Silva, Superintendent of Schools. “We’re proud to share the stories that make our district, and our community, so special.”
A full list of 2025 winners can be found here: https://www.nspra.org/Awards/Award-Winners/Publications-and-Digital-Media-Excellence-Winners
About the Bethlehem Area School District
The Bethlehem Area School District is the 6th largest in Pennsylvania, serving nearly 14,000 culturally and economically diverse students across 22 community-based schools. The district spans the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hanover Township, Freemansburg, and Fountain Hill. Through partnerships with universities, businesses, and arts organizations, BASD provides rich academic and extracurricular experiences for all students.
Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast Wins “Best Local Podcast” from Lehigh Valley Style Readers
The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast has been named Best Local Podcast by readers of Lehigh Valley Style in the publication’s 2025 “Best of the Lehigh Valley” awards — marking the podcast’s second win, with its first honor coming in 2020.
Launched in 2018, Lehigh Valley with Love has become a leading local podcast by doing what it does best — telling the stories of the Lehigh Valley’s people, places, and pulse. Whether it’s sitting down with community leaders, walking through neighborhoods and festivals, or simply chasing a good story with a camera in hand, the podcast continues to evolve as a trusted voice for the region.
“We try to tell the kinds of stories you don’t always hear elsewhere, or at least not in the same way.” said George Wacker, host and founder. “And over the past year especially, we’ve really leaned into getting out into the community, not just recording episodes, but filming them, walking with our guests, and showing people what the Lehigh Valley looks like right now. There’s so much out there.”
Deeper Dives with Off The Record
In 2024, the podcast introduced Off The Record, a subseries co-hosted by Northampton County Commissioner Jeff Warren. It brings a more serious tone to discussions around mental health, incarceration and reentry, and regional development — without losing the podcast’s grounded, conversational feel.
Episodes in the Off The Record series include:
Watch the full series on YouTube: Off The Record Playlist
Community, Culture & Visual Storytelling
In addition to audio interviews, many episodes now include full video walk-throughs — giving audiences a more immersive look at life across the region. From parks and food trucks to holiday drives and music festivals, recent episodes highlight the breadth and depth of the Lehigh Valley:
- Green Pond Packaging – walking through a public park while unpacking warehouse development
- A Tour of The Sayre Mansion – go back in history in Bethlehem
- New Bethany Turkey Drive – on-the-ground look at local support during the holidays
- Festival UnBound – a blend of music, storytelling, and community transformation
- Arts at Lafayette College – exploring creative spaces and student expression
- Dance Dance Revolution in Whitehall – a nostalgic twist on community connection
- A Ride-Along with Oogie’s Ice Cream Truck – scoops, smiles, and small-town charm
- A Walk in the Woods at Camp Fowler – take a stroll!
- Kaleidoscope Collective – an artistic and entrepreneurial take on community
- Kathy Olson’s Jeopardy! Journey – local brainpower with a national twist
🎧 Watch or listen to the full archive:
- Main YouTube Playlist
- YouTube Podcast Playlist
- lvwithlove.com — the hub for episodes, video, and more
Powered by the Community
The podcast’s continued growth and recognition wouldn’t be possible without its loyal audience, generous guests, and the support of local sponsors. A sincere thank-you to:
- Lehigh Valley Health Network
- WDIY
- Wind Creek Event Center
- Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate
- Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub
- Banko Beverage Company
Interested in being on the show, or becoming a sponsor?
📧 Email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com
🌐 Visit www.lvwithlove.com
Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 2 presented by Banko Beverage Co.
UPDATE: The Results Are In!
After thousands of votes and support for dozens of local patios, the winners of Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 2—presented by Banko Beverage Co.—have been announced!
🥇 1st Place: Foundation Tavern (Wescosville) — Back-to-back champion known for its huge deck, sunset views, live music, and unbeatable community vibe.
🥈 2nd Place: Pints & Pies (Bethlehem) — A year-round patio with palm trees, heaters, and a loyal crowd that loves its all-weather setup and welcoming energy.
🥉 3rd Place: The Wooden Match (Bethlehem) — A nationally recognized gastropub housed in a historic train station, with live music, cigars, and an iconic SouthSide presence.
🏅 4th Place: Wanderlust Beer Garden (Easton) — A globally-inspired outdoor space with yard games, eclectic decor, and a laid-back, fun-first atmosphere.
Scroll down to read more about the contest and how these patios earned their spots!
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Hey Lehigh Valley!
Your favorite spring tradition is BACK! We’re once again celebrating the amazing patios and outdoor dining spaces that make our local bars, restaurants, and beer gardens the place to be when the weather warms up.
Welcome to Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 2 presented by Banko Beverage Co., where you help crown the Best Patio in the Lehigh Valley for 2025!
🗳️ How it works:
- Vote for your favorite patio below! (or at this link: https://bit.ly/PatioPalooza2)
- Don’t see your spot? Write it in!
- Show love to the bars and restaurants that keep your spring and summer vibes going strong by using #PatioPalooza
- You might even win free swag from Banko Beverage Co. and other great local sponsors!
🎉 What’s next?
We’ll throw a party at the winning patio in early summer—details coming soon! (Check out what we did last year here: https://lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/blog/patiopalooza)
🗓️ Voting runs from April 14 through May 31, 2025
📩 Questions? Email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com
One vote per email address per day (duplicate entries will be removed)
Bethlehem Area School District Wins Record 14 State Awards for Communications
Bethlehem Area School District Wins Record 14 State Awards for Communications
This marks the most awards received by any school district in this year’s contest—as well as the most ever earned by Bethlehem Area School District in a single year.
BETHLEHEM, PA, April 2025 – The Bethlehem Area School District (BASD) is proud to announce it has received 14 awards at the annual Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association (PenSPRA) Symposium “Excellence in Education Communications” contest.
PenSPRA’s annual contest highlights exceptional work in school communications across Pennsylvania, recognizing and honoring projects that inform, inspire, and connect school communities.
BASD was recognized in a wide range of categories—spanning social media campaigns, video series, special publications, calendars, and the district’s Vision and Strategy Plan—during the 2024-2025 contest held at Penn State University in State College on March 20-21, 2025. The district earned two Awards of Excellence and multiple Awards of Merit and Honorable Mentions for its creative and effective communication efforts.
Awards of Excellence
Awards of Merit
- Get Involved, BASD! (Video Series)
- Did You Know? Attendance Matters (Video Series)
- BASD Spotlight Video Series
- Southside Greenway Mural Collaboration (Video – Singular)
- Holiday Special 2024 (Video – Singular)
- B.E.S.T. Award Winners 2024 (Video – Singular)
- BASD Map of School District Buildings and Boundaries (Special Purpose Publication)
- Bethlehem Area School District Calendar 2024-2025 (Calendar Category)
Honorable Mentions
- Edgeboro’s 100th Anniversary (Marketing Material)
- BASD Realtor Event (Marketing Material)
- “BASD eNews” (Electronic Newsletter)
- Vision and Strategy Plan 2024-2025 (Annual Report)
“Our team works hard to keep our families, staff, and community informed and engaged,” said Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent, Dr. Jack P. Silva. “These awards reflect the creativity, professionalism, and teamwork that drive our communications strategy.”
The full list of winners can be found at: https://penspra.com/contest-winners/
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About the Bethlehem Area School District
The Bethlehem Area School District is the 6th largest school district in Pennsylvania serving nearly 14,000 culturally and economically diverse students in 22 community-based schools. The district serves five municipalities: City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hanover Township, Freemansburg, and Fountain Hill. The district enjoys numerous community partnerships with universities, businesses, and arts providers that extend the schools’ rich curricular and co-curricular offerings.
About The Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association (PenSPRA)
Chartered in 1969, PenSPRA is an organization of school public relations professionals whose goal is to improve educational communication and support student achievement through systematic, proactive, and responsible public relations programs.