(Feat. image: Ann Yost Whitesell: Landscape painting by Ann Yost Whitesell featured in The Baum Legacy exhibition)
The Baum School of Art is celebrating 100 years in Allentown with The Baum Legacy: A Centennial Exhibition, a look at the artists, students and family members connected to founder Walter Emerson Baum.
Running September 17 through October 17, the exhibition features more than 100 pieces of artwork across the school’s three new galleries and explores Baum’s influence as both an artist and an educator.
The exhibition brings together work by Walter Baum alongside members of his family, former students and other artists whose work reflects his lasting impact.
We’re giving away three pairs of tickets to the Bethlehem Vintage & Harvest Market at Historic Burnside Plantation on Saturday, September 19.
More than 75 vendors will bring vintage clothing, mid-century furniture, vinyl, jewelry and one-of-a-kind finds to Burnside, along with a DJ spinning vintage vinyl, fall desserts, family activities and access to the historic farmhouse, barns and heritage apple orchard.
Saturday, September 19, 2026
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Historic Burnside Plantation
1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018
General admission is $3 in advance and $4 at the event, with children 14 and under free. The Autumn Dessert Market to Go will also take place Friday, September 18 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Nearly 250 years ago, the bell that would become known as the Liberty Bell was hidden beneath the floorboards of Zion’s Reformed Church in what is now Downtown Allentown. It remained there for nearly nine months while British troops occupied Philadelphia.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Allentown will bring that history back into the streets with the inaugural Liberty Bell Festival.
Moms mean business, and at The Mom Market, kids do too.
Founder Devika Knafo returns to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast as The Mom Market approaches its first anniversary. What began with 40 women supporting Devika’s vision has grown into a community platform that she says has supported more than 160 mom- and women-owned businesses.
Devika talks about creating space for women at every stage of business, from entrepreneurs developing their first idea to established owners opening brick-and-mortar locations. She also explains how her own postpartum experience inspired her to build the support system she wished she had.
The Mom Market’s Summer Glow event will include a dedicated Kids Market for young entrepreneurs ages 5–17. Parents can offer support, but the children will run their booths, speak with customers, and learn how to adjust in real time.
The Mom Market: Summer Glow
Sunday, August 23, 2026
9 AM–2 PM
Bethlehem Rose Garden
Free admission
More than 16,700 spectators filled J. Birney Crum Stadium across two nights for the 49th DCI Eastern Classic, held July 31 and August 1, 2026, in Allentown.
Musikfest Preview Night arrives Thursday, July 30, followed by 10 days of music, food, art and nearly unavoidable reunions throughout Bethlehem from Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 9.
For the fifth annual Mayor’s Musikfest Preview Podcast, we set up at StadtPlatz outside Bethlehem City Hall with Mayor J. William Reynolds and eight guests who plan the festival, perform on its stages, volunteer behind the scenes and help create the community around it.
The 43rd Musikfest features more than 400 performers and 500 performances across 16 stages, 15 of which are free.
Mayor Reynolds described Musikfest as a shared experience that cannot be recreated through a screen.
“You can’t one-up somebody else’s experience. What happens there is that it brings people together, and it shows us what’s possible when we’re focused on people.”
Building a temporary city
ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert started with the people responsible for turning more than 50 acres of Bethlehem into the country’s largest free music festival.
“It takes 5,000 people to put this festival up and to tear it down. You’ve got volunteers that are taking 10 days from their vacation time at work to support this festival.”
Hilgert also made a direct appeal for people to support the vendors, restaurants, hotels, artists and cultural organizations that keep events like Musikfest alive.
Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest’s Chief Programming Officer, said more than 2,000 artists applied to perform this year. The final program includes 417 artists presenting 512 sets, with roughly one-third of the festival changing each year.
His advice is simple:
“Follow your ears through the festival.”
Turn a corner, stop at an unfamiliar stage and stay long enough to find the artist who could become your next favorite.
“The soundtrack of Bethlehem”
Miguel Perez-Soto has experienced Musikfest as an ArtsQuest board member, a musician, a B. Braun Medical employee and a supporter who has been attending for 25 years.
He has also watched Musikfest and ArtsQuest’s year-round programming grow to represent more of the cultures found throughout Bethlehem.
“Musikfest is the soundtrack of Bethlehem. We’re going to have a great time doing this for the next 10 days, but throughout the year, Bethlehem always has the initiative to reinvent itself and put events together for the entire family, for the entire community.”
A place where everyone can Fest
Richard Liu helped lead the creation of SoberPlatz, the inclusive alcohol-free space that returns to the SouthSide for its second year. Located near Americaplatz and the Flywheel, SoberPlatz offers room to relax, activities, recovery resources and a community that does not revolve around drinking.
Everyone is welcome. The only request is that visitors not bring alcohol into the space.
Liu shared the response that showed exactly why SoberPlatz was needed.
“I’ve had people tell me they didn’t feel like they could Fest until SoberPlatz was there.”
For Liu, Musikfest ultimately comes back to people.
“It’s the volunteers that I see year after year and become friends with. It’s the friendships with performers who come back year after year. It’s the community members who I see and become friends with. It’s the people.”
WDIY Executive Director Margaret McConnell described the station as another community organization powered largely by volunteers.
WDIY was built by community members who wanted their own radio station. Its programming still reflects that original mission.
“Picking hand-curated music, no algorithms involved. Very little automation. This is really led by this community, for this community.”
ArtsQuest ambassador-level volunteer Robin Sherrerd has poured beer, sold tickets, worked with the Eco Squad and served as a site supervisor.
“I worked my way up to site supervisor and enjoyed every bit of it because of the camaraderie that we have with all of the other volunteers.”
Those relationships continue after the tents come down. Sherrerd said many volunteers have become friends who see one another and spend time together throughout the year.
Two Bethlehem artists step onto the stage
Bethlehem country artist Lilly Moss opens for Russell Dickerson at the Wind Creek Steel Stage on Friday, July 31. She returns Sunday, August 2 for a free Main Street performance.
Two years ago, Moss opened a fortune cookie while attending the Maren Morris concert at Musikfest.
“I opened a fortune cookie and it said, ‘You will make a name for yourself.’”
She kept and framed the fortune. Now she plans to carry it onto the largest stage she has ever played.
Moss said she no longer becomes more nervous as the crowds grow.
“As the crowds get bigger, I get more excited. I feed off the energy and the adrenaline.”
Jenny Founds performs with Ruby Dear at Zinzenplatz from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, August 2. The Bethlehem alternative-rock trio is expanding for a special Ruby Dear Big Band performance featuring additional musicians from Start Making Sense.
Founds performs original music with Ruby Dear and Talking Heads music with Start Making Sense. She sees value in both.
“I’ve had people come up to me and say, ‘I’ve never heard you before, but I can relate to your lyrics, and I’ve never felt seen like that.’ So both are valid, and both give opportunities to musicians.”
A free Musikfest stage gives original artists something particularly valuable: people who were walking past, heard something interesting and decided to enter the tent.
The Musikfest must-do list
Mayor Reynolds and George also shared a few rules for getting the most out of Musikfest:
Put the phone away.
Spend time with someone you unexpectedly run into.
Buy at least one thing.
Watch an artist perform original music.
Show someone your favorite Musikfest spot.
Try a food you are not completely sure about.
Leave one night open and see where Musikfest takes you.
Musikfest Preview Night is Thursday, July 30. The full festival runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 9.
Get the complete schedule and download the official app at Musikfest.org.
Lehigh Valley with Love is giving away three pairs of adult admission tickets to the 39th Annual Blueberry Festival at Historic Burnside, happening Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19.
The votes are in for Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 3 presented by Banko Beverage Co., and we have our winners!
Foundation Tavern at Shepherd Hills Golf Club has once again been named the Lehigh Valley’s favorite patio, taking the top spot for an incredible third consecutive year.
Pints & Pies Bethlehem finished in second place, followed by The Wooden Match in third.
This year’s Patio Palooza also introduced the Home Patio Edition, giving Lehigh Valley residents a chance to submit their own backyard patios, decks, porches, and outdoor spaces.
Congratulations to Steve K. of Allentown, our Home Patio Edition winner! Steve will receive a patio prize pack courtesy of Banko Beverage Co.
Thank you to everyone who voted, submitted a home patio, and helped spread the word about Patio Palooza 3.
A special thank you to presenting sponsor Banko Beverage Co. for helping make Patio Palooza possible.
Inspired by Patio Palooza to tackle an outdoor project of your own? Visit QuoteAhead.com to connect with local contractors for patios, decks, landscaping, hardscaping, fencing, concrete, outdoor lighting, and more.
And what’s next? Stay tuned. We might just need to find out who the Lehigh Valley’s favorite bartender is. 🍺
Patio season is almost here, and Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 3 presented by Banko Beverage Co. is back to celebrate the best outdoor spots in the region.
This year, we’re adding something new!
Along with voting for your favorite restaurant, bar, beer garden, or outdoor dining space, you can also enter the 🏡 Home Patio Edition by submitting your own backyard patio, deck, porch, or outdoor oasis.
The winning restaurant or bar patio will be part of a summer celebration at their location.
Home Patio Edition entrants will be eligible for prizes, which may include a Miller Lite mini fridge, lounge chair, patio umbrella, Banko Beverage Co. shirts, koozies, promotional items, and a $100 QuoteAhead outdoor project credit.
Foundation Tavern has won two years in a row. Can anyone beat them this year?
The IronPigs and Bach Choir of Bethlehem will host a first-of-its-kind musical extravaganza celebrating America’s 250th birthday at Coca-Cola Park on May 27, 2026, at 7 p.m.
The event, titled Let Freedom Sing, will unite more than 5,000 voices from across the region for a rousing choral celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
Adult, community, and school choirs from the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties will come together for an unforgettable evening of patriotic music honoring the nation’s history.
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem will headline the evening, with conductor Christopher Jackson leading the program. The celebration will culminate in a large-scale community sing-along and fireworks display.
Individual tickets may be purchased HERE. A special Performance Package includes a ticket plus sheet music for the entire show for $20.
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Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks will return for its 16th season with a packed lineup of free outdoor concerts at the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania will host its annual Community Harvest Gala on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. at its warehouse at 6969 Silver Crest Road in Nazareth. This year’s theme, Packed with Purpose, centers on raising money for food share boxes and the costs that help get nutritious food to neighbors across six counties.
The Lehigh Valley Humane Society’s annual Garden Gala returns Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Petersell 1808 Home, bringing together an elegant afternoon of food, music, and fundraising to support animals who need critical veterinary care. This year’s event will feature a plated dinner, a VIP cocktail hour with Seinfeld actor John O’Hurley, a silent auction, a wine pull, and live music from Kendal Conrad, along with a build-your-own-bouquet experience with Sterner’s Stems.
The Chopper Foundation is hosting its 2nd Annual Chow Line on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Wooden Match, 61 W. Lehigh Street in Bethlehem.
The event will offer free pet food for the community and free vaccinations for pets in need, while supplies last, rain or shine.
Poets for Justice is bringing its “Unplugged: Speak Your Truth” spoken word showcase to Bethlehem on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
