Summer is just around the corner, and the Laurel Highlands Sweepstakes is sure to start your vacation off with a bang. Enter for a chance to Win a Family Getaway for Four to Idlewild & SoakZone and Fort Ligonier.
Image Courtesy of Laurel Highlands
You’ll have the perfect summer setting for tons of fun at Idlewild & SoakZone, named “Best Kids’ Park in the World” by Amusement Today, and Fort Ligonier, a reconstructed and restored French and Indian War fort. Get out and enjoy the warmer weather with the family, followed by a delicious meal at the Ligonier Tavern, a scrumptious treat at the Ligonier Creamery, and a relaxing stay at the Ramada Ligioner.
Image Courtesy of Laurel Highlands
The Summer Family Fun getaway package for four includes:
•4 tickets to Idlewild & SoakZone
•4 passes to Fort Ligonier
•1-night stay at the Ramada Ligonier
•$75 gift card to dine at the Ligonier Tavern
•$25 gift card to the Ligonier Creamery
Image Courtesy of Laurel Highlands
Click on the link and enter today! The winner will be notified in June.
Image Courtesy of Sarah Baptist. Urban landscape plein air oil painting.
Touring museums is a pleasant way to spend a weekend afternoon, but the experience can often feel sterile. While the artwork is beautiful, I often wonder about the story behind the piece, what the artist found inspiring, or how they created their work. As a result, I look forward to events like the Chester County Studio Tour, Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, 2015, which allows art enthusiasts and the curious to experience and meet a variety of astonishing artists as they exhibit their work. This unique and intimate opportunity gives the visitor free unlimited access to the artists, and a clearer understanding of their story and creative process.
Chester County Studio Tour invites friends, families, art enthusiasts and the curious to experience and meet a variety of astonishing artists as they exhibit their work during this two-day event. This unique and intimate opportunity gives the visitor free unlimited access to the artists, and a clearer understanding of their story and creative process.
Image Courtesy of John Pompeo. Water soluble oil.
There are 100 artists and 47 studios participating on the 2015 tour. The Chester County Studio Tour website provides several easy to follow maps which will allow you enjoy meandering drives over winding roads and hills until your reach your destination.
No tickets are needed for the tour, and the event is free. All you need is an appreciation for art and a spirit of adventure.
You are invited to browse the participating artists, and if you fall in love with a work of art, take it home with you. Prices range from art t-shirts for $25 to large, lush paintings for $25,000. The Chester County Studio Tour also provides an unprecedented opportunity to purchase a work of art by your favorite artist for only $75.
For 2015, the participating artists have created one unique 6- x 6- inch piece of original art and will be selling it for $75. Chester County Studio Tour wants to make art affordable for everyone and wants to show that art can be everywhere.
Image Courtesy of Lele Galer. Welded steel sculpture.
Whether this is your first time buying original art or you are a seasoned collector, the tour now has something for everyone. In some instances, a favorite artist might be out of someone’s price range, but now with the County Collectors Club, art is within reach. Some art enthusiasts are out of wall space yet enjoy the thrill of adding new art to their collection. This becomes possible with the County Collectors Club since the pieces are considered small.
All the pieces are uniform in size and framed with a simple, elegant black frame. To assure quality and uniqueness, all pieces will have a specially-marked certificate printed on the back commemorating this year’s studio tour. Chester County Studio Tour has asked each artist to create only one commemorative piece of art, so plan your day and get out early to ensure you have art on your walls by Monday.
Outdoor enthusiasts have a new reason to enjoy beaches and swimming areas in Pennsylvania State Parks. Effective May 1, 2015, a pilot program prohibits smoking on the beaches and swimming areas of the newly designated state parks.
After a successful two-year operation of a pilot smoke-free beach and swimming area at one Pennsylvania State Park, the PA Bureau of State Parks has expanded the program to several other parks across the Commonwealth. Effective May 1, 2015, the pilot program prohibits smoking on the beaches and swimming areas of the newly designated state parks. For visitors who smoke and still want to use these beaches, designated areas adjacent to the beach are provided. The restriction includes cigarettes, pipes, cigars, e-cigarettes or other handheld lighted smoking devices. The pilot program received positive customer feedback for the improved air quality and the reduction of cigarette butt litter in the swimming area.
The current State Parks that have smoke-free beach and swimming areas are:
No longer a pilot program, smoking restrictions are now permanent at Fuller Lake beach in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The park’s nearby Laurel Lake beach remains open to smokers.
Many Pennsylvania state parks have lakes or pools for swimming. Splashing around in water is a great way to cool off on a hot day, and swimming laps is great exercise.
Beaches (except Presque Isle) are open to swimming from before Memorial Day to after Labor Day, unless otherwise posted, under the open swim policy–swim at your own risk. The exact opening and closing dates vary at each park. Swimmers should read posted instructions for regulations on swimming.
Pools are usually open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Lifeguards are on duty when pools are open.
For a decidedly different twist to travel, book and adventure with Arctic Paws Dog Sled Tours . Their premier dog sled adventure is located at Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Enjoy the team of professional and friendly huskies who take you on the pristine dog sled trails at Skytop Lodge to the Indian Ladder Waterfall. Best of all you and your family mush the sled (stand on the back and drive the dogs sled.)
They are open, operating and booked for this weekend, but still have a view spaces available for March 14, 2015
One hour tours include:
•Learning how to dog sled
•Meeting the amazing huskies
•Taking photographs
•Riding on the back of the sled and sitting in the basket
•Enjoying the incredible scenery on a pine tree lined trail to a waterfall
Schedule:
•Friday afternoons 2 – 4 PM (reserved for our Bring Your Own Dog Program)
•Saturday & Sunday 9 AM – 4 PM
•Presidents Day 16 February 2015 9 AM – 4 PM
Image Courtesy of Historic Kennett, PA, where snow emergency has been declared.
Another winter storm is dropping heavy snow throughout the region. Call your destination before venturing out. Some locations are closed for today, Thursday, March 15, 2015, and have already announced closings for Friday, March 16, 2016. If you’re out and about, be safe.
Image Courtesy of Kings Gap Environmental Center, PA
Tickets for the 25th Anniversary Mid Atlantic Air Museum WWII Weekend, “A GATHERING OF WARBIRDS,” are already on sale. This extremely popular event, scheduled for June 5, 6 & 7, 2015, draws visitors from across the United States.
Image Courtesy of MAAM
The weekend event is packed full of activities. The WWII Airborne Demonstration Team of Frederick, Oklahoma will make their premier appearance at the 2015 World War II Weekend. Show attendees will be able to watch as the paratroopers “chuting-up” in correct WWII uniforms and equipment. On Saturday and Sunday a full stick of paratroopers will execute a static line jump from the ADT’s combat veteran C-47 “Boogie Baby”.
Image Courtesy of MAAM
Additionally, 32 WWII veterans are scheduled to appear as special guests.
Image Courtesy of MAAM
While there is plenty to see at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s World War II Weekend, visitors also have the rare opportunity to fly in one or more of the most famous and successful aircraft of World War II. Seats will fill quickly and some may sell out prior to the show, so make your reservations early. You can choose to fly in an open cockpit Boeing Stearman N2S-1″Kaydet”, a Fairchild PT-19 “Cornell”, a SNJ-4B “Texan”; Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless among others.
Just in case you haven’t had enough sweetness during you holiday season, head out to the SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA to enjoy all things Peeps at the PEEPSFEST™. Enjoy this dynamic, interactive family event highlighting the beloved marshmallow confection. PEEPSFEST™ features two days of live music, art and PEEPS®-related programming. The event, presented by Just Born, Inc., the company that makes PEEPS®, and ArtsQuest, culminates Dec. 31 at 5:15 p.m. with the poplar PEEPS® Chick and fireworks to welcome the New Year!
December 30 – December 31, 2014 • view days & times
Venue: ArtsQuest Center
Price: Free (some activities may include a fee)
SteelStacks, First Street and Founders Way
Phone: (610) 332-3378
Capital BlueCross Creativity Commons
(1st floor ArtsQuest Center)
The PEEPS & Q’s Performance Series is presented by The Lesson Center.
• 10am – 3pm • Big Jeff and Magician – Eddy Ray
•3-4pm • Diorama Winner Announce
•10am – 4:00pm • NEW! The Lesson Center
Mini music lesson demonstrations Thelessoncenter.com
Fowler Blast Furnace Room
(2nd floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10am – 4pm • NEW! Dutch Springs
Kids activities including Rub a Dub Dub – Scuba in a Tub, PEEPS(R) Spaghetti Build and meet a Dog Sled team member. Complete the Dutch Springs word scramble map for a free Just Born sample!
Loft
(2nd floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10am – 4pm • NEW! Pinebrook Family Answers
Temporary tattoos and stickers
•10am – 4pm • NEW! Concern Professional Services
Snowman activity papers and bean bag toss
•10am – 4pm • The Literacy Center
Bookmark coloring activity
•10am – 4pm • Wildlands Conservancy
Fairy and wizard wand making
•10am – 4pm • FLYLVIA
FLYLVIA balsa wood planes and 4 ticket giveaways
Lee & Stella Yee Family Connect Zone
(1st floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10am – 4pm • Face Painting by Pleasant Valley Promotions
Price varies by design.
•10am – 4pm • NEW! Ed Youtz, Wood Turner
Spinning tops for kids; $5 per top.
•10am – 4pm • Five Star Home Foods
•10am – 4pm • NEW! Try Dye
Make your own Tie Dye Creations $10-$15
•10am – 4pm • Expanded PEEPSFEST™ Merchandise Area
Musikfest Café™
(3rd floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10am – 4pm • Family Disco Lounge feat. Baze and His Silly Friends
$5 for ages 17 and under, free for adults with ticketed kids. Dance the afternoon away as the Musikfest Café is transformed into a disco lounge. You’ll enjoy a family-friendly DJ, bounce house, balloon art by Tootsee and Friends & more.
Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
(1st floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10:30am – 3:00pm • KIDS CINEMA sponsored by Spark Orthodontics
◦ Candy Craze: How PEEPS® Are Made video (10:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30 pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm)
◦PBS’ Sesame Street Celebrates New Year’s Eve Around the World (11:00am, 1pm, 3pm)
SteelStacks Campus
•10 – 4pm • PEEPS® Scavenger Hunt
Forms located at the ArtsQuest Center 1st floor information desk
Kids and adults alike are invited to search the PEEPSFEST™ campus including the ArtsQuest Center and PBS 39 for hidden PEEPS® Chicks. Once they’re all found and the race numbers they are wearing are recorded, families can turn in their completed scavenger hunt form and they’ll be entered into a drawing to win a PEEPS & COMPANY® $30 Gift Certificate.
Air Products Town Square
•10am – 4pm • Make Your Own PEEPS® S’mores
1 S’mores Kit, $2 | 3 S’mores Kits, $5
•10am – 4pm • PEEPSMOBILE®
Guess the weight of the PEEPSMOBILE®. Be the closest to the actual weight and you’ll win a PEEPS & COMPANY® $30 Gift Certificate!
•10am – 4pm • St. Luke’s University Health Network
Join St. Luke’s nurses on the HealthStar van to make your own first aid kit.
•10am – 4pm • PEEPS® Chick Ice Sculpture
•10am – 4pm • NEW! Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Hockey shoot inflatable and appearances by meLVin.
PBS39
•10am – 4pm • PEEPS® Diorama Competition (1st floor)
Vote for your favorite PEEPS® Diorama.
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks
•1pm, 2pm, 3pm • NEW! Bethlehem Mounted Police
Appearances by Pharoah & Raven; with a special presentation on the horses.
Wednesday, December 31
Capital BlueCross Creativity Commons
(1st floor ArtsQuest Center)
The PEEPS & Q’s Performance Series is presented by The Lesson Center.
•10am – 3pm • Dave Fry and Magician – Eddy Ray
•10am – 4:30pm • NEW! The Lesson Center
Mini music lesson demonstrations Thelessoncenter.com
Fowler Blast Furnace Room
(2nd floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10am – 4:30pm • NEW! Dutch Springs
Kids activities including Rub a Dub Dub – Scuba in a Tub, PEEPS(R) Spaghetti Build and meet a Dog Sled team member. Complete the Dutch Springs word scramble map for a free Just Born sample!
Loft (2nd floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10am – 4:30pm • Wildlands Conservancy
Fairy and wizard wand making
•10am – 4:30pm • Allentown Art Museum
Holiday exhibition themed hands-on activity
•10am – 4:30pm • FLYLVIA
FLYLVIA balsa wood planes and 4 ticket giveaways
Lee & Stella Yee Family Connect Zone
(1st floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10am – 4:30pm • Face Painting by Pleasant Valley Promotions
Price varies by design.
•10am – 4:30pm • NEW! Ed Youtz, Wood Turner
Spinning tops for kids; $5 per top.
•10am – 4:30pm • Five Star Home Foods
•10am – 4:30pm • NEW! Try Dye
Make your own Tie Dye Creations $10-$15
•10am – 4:30pm • Expanded PEEPSFEST™ Merchandise Area
Musikfest Café™ (3rd floor ArtsQuest Center )
•10am – 4:30pm • Family Disco Lounge feat. Little Rockers Band
$5 for ages 17 and under, free for adults with ticketed kids. Dance the afternoon away as the Musikfest Café is transformed into a disco lounge. You’ll enjoy a family-friendly DJ, bounce house, balloon art by Tootsee and Friends & more.
Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas
(1st floor ArtsQuest Center)
•10:30am – 3:00pm • KIDS CINEMA sponsored by Spark Orthodontics
◦Candy Craze: How PEEPS® Are Made video (10:30am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm)
◦PBS’ Sesame Street Celebrates New Year’s Eve Around the World (11am, 3pm)
•12:10, 1:10, 2:10pm • Lehigh Valley Zoo presentation
SteelStacks Campus
•10 – 4:30pm • PEEPS® Scavenger Hunt
Forms located at the ArtsQuest Center 1st floor information desk
Kids and adults alike are invited to search the PEEPSFEST™ campus including the ArtsQuest Center and PBS 39 for hidden PEEPS® Chicks. Once they’re all found and the race numbers they are wearing are recorded, families can turn in their completed scavenger hunt form and they’ll be entered into a drawing to win a PEEPS & COMPANY® $30 Gift Certificate.
•12:30pm • Mascot Dash
Sponsored by Red Robin
Featuring popular area mascots! Starts at the ArtsQuest Center.
•12:40pm • Kids Fun Run
Sponsored by Red Robin
Different age groups compete in a 50 yard dash. Tickets can be purchased on site day of event, $10 per child. Begins at the ArtsQuest Center.
•1pm • PEEPSFEST™ 5K (Starts at the ArtsQuest Center)
Registration/Packet pickup begins at noon
Sponsored by St. Luke’s University Health Network and Red Robin
Run, jog, or walk your way into the New Year with the PEEPSFEST™ 5K. Prizes awarded to the overall winners and in each age category. The first 500 to register receive a long-sleeved race shirt and goodie bag.
Air Products Town Square
•10am – 4:30pm • Make Your Own PEEPS® S’mores
1 S’mores Kit, $2 | 3 S’mores Kits, $5
•10am – 4:30pm • PEEPSMOBILE®
Guess the weight of the PEEPSMOBILE®. Be the closest to the actual weight and you’ll win a PEEPS & COMPANY® $30 Gift Certificate!
•10am – 4:30pm • St. Luke’s University Health Network
Join St. Luke’s nurses on the HealthStar van to make your own first aid kit.
•10am – 4:30pm • NEW! Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Hockey shoot inflatable and appearances by meLVin.
•10am – 4:30pm • PEEPS® Diorama Competition (1st floor)
Vote for your favorite PEEPS® Diorama.
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks
•1pm, 2pm, 3pm • NEW! Bethlehem Mounted Police
Appearances by Pharoah & Raven; with a special presentation on the horses.
•4:30pm • PEEPS® New Year’s Eve Party
Kid friendly rock band We Kids Rock gets the PEEPS® party started and pumped up for the PEEPS® Chick Drop.
•5:15pm • PEEPS® Chick Drop and Fireworks
Join us as we celebrate this uniquely Bethlehem tradition – the dropping of a 4.5-foot tall, 85 lb. lighted PEEPS® Chick and fireworks to welcome in the New Year!
The Pymatuning State Park in Pymatuning, PA hosts their Fall Spooktackular this weekend, October 10 & 11, 2014. This year’s event will be family oriented. They are planning a night hike, movie, kids craft; costume contest for kids, pets, and adults, trick-or-treat, site decoration contest, non-scare hayrides, and bonfire with music. There will also be two new events related to pumpkins, the Pumpkin Derby and the Pumpkin Slingshot. The event is open to the public and there is no parking or entrance fee.
Some individual events have a small fee to participate others are free.
Food, beverages, and pumpkins will be for sale.
Events with a fee are the Pumpkin Derby, Pumpkin Slingshot, Hayrides and Kids Craft.
The Philadelphia Zoo is adding a little green to your Halloween with the return of Boo at the Zoo for two spooky weekends.
Image Courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo
Put on your favorite costume and join us for a creepy, crawly celebration. Enjoy treats and sweets while playing your favorite Halloween games, listening to live music and much more.
• Do you know why Halloween is an orangutan’s favorite holiday at the Philadelphia Zoo? Be sure to visit the Sustainable Palm Zone during Boo at the Zoo to find out.
• Take a walk through the Philadelphia Zoo’s not-so-scary Extinction Graveyard to learn about the extinction of species around the world. You’ll be shocked to see that some of your favorite creatures could be extinct in the wild in 15 years.
• Enjoy festive fall offerings throughout the Zoo: hot apple cider, Children’s’ Halloween Sippers filled with a Witch’s Brew, reusable Boo at the Zoo trick-or-treat bags and much more! Pick up a Boo at the Zoo map at the entrance for all the details.
• Set out on a Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt and discover your favorite animals in the form of life-size scarecrows.
Friday, September 19, 2014 – 7:00pm – Saturday, November 8, 2014 – 7:00pm
Sponsor LUKOIL providing discount coupons!
Terror Behind the Walls is located inside the massive castle-like walls of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. Now in its 22nd year, Terror Behind the Walls is consistently ranked among the top haunted attractions in the country. Check out their preview page to get a sneak peek of the action.
Their FAQ page provides lots of tips and info for first timers. They promise to do their “absolute best to terrify you and your friends. Just imagine being inside an 11-acre abandoned prison at night. Their goal is to make you scared. Really scared. And yes, it’s possible that someone (or something?) might be lurking inside one of those empty, dark cells you keep walking past….”
Additionally, “when you enter Terror Behind the Walls, you will be confronted with a critical decision: should you explore the prison and watch the action, or should you mark yourself to truly interact with the denizens of the cellblocks? Those who opt in for true interactivity may be grabbed, held back, sent into hidden passageways, removed from their group, and even occasionally incorporated into the show. They will deal with the consequences of their decision through six long attractions.”
If that isn’t scary enough, you can upgrade to a VIP status. The After Dark VIP Tour begins with an hour-long, guided flashlight walking tour of the penitentiary. You’ll hear about riots, escapes, and other scandalous incidents throughout Eastern State’s history. Highlights may include the cellblocks, Al Capone’s cell, the dining halls, and the Operating Room.
Following the tour, you will be escorted to the front of the Terror Behind the Walls lines and experience all six haunted attractions. Remember your evening with a souvenir photo of your group and a Terror Behind the Walls LED flashlight (included in ticket price).
Don’t forget that buying online is ALWAYS the cheapest and most convenient way to purchase Terror Behind the Walls tickets, guaranteed. You’ll save time and money, and purchasing in advance is the only way to guarantee entry to the event.
Best of all, discount coupons are available courtesy of Terror Behind the Walls sponsor LUKOIL. Visit any Pennsylvania or New Jersey LUKOIL location for a $5 off coupon. Coupons available while supplies last. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
MAD2GO™ 