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Morning Call: Spring into these five events around the Lehigh Valley
March 30th, 2021 | In The News
Written by Jennifer Sheehan for The Morning Call
We are all looking to get back to normal.
We want to go places, gather as friends and buy a ticket for in-person events again.
The Lehigh Valley is slowly emerging from the pandemic. And as the vaccines work their magic on more of us, the state has begun the process of starting to ease restrictions.
As we wait patiently for the end of the pandemic, we can start to look forward to things to do with our families, friends and loved ones.
To that end, we’ve gathered a few spring events that you should consider. Some are outside, some are virtual and some are in-person, so regardless of your comfort level, there’s something to do.
Here are five events, in no particular order:
Get outside at Burnside
What: Saturdays at Burnside
When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays starting in April and running through November
Where: Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem
Details: A lot of folks still feel more comfortable being outdoors. Here’s where you can combine being outside with a lesson in history.
And best of all, it’s free.
Historic Burnside Plantation is hosting special Saturday events, perfect for families, with farm-themed crafts for all ages and opportunities to explore the Colonial Garden.
You can also take a hike on the Burnside leg of the Heritage Trail. (More here: historicbethlehem.org/visit/heritage-trail/). Furry family members are welcome to come along, too.
Info: historicbethlehem.org/programs/saturdays-at-burnside/
Get something ‘new’
What: New-to-You & Vintage Barn Sale
When: Pre-Sale Day, noon to 6 p.m. April 9; Public Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10 and 11; Bag Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17-18
Where: Burnside Plantation
Details: Speaking of Burnside, there’s another great April event where you can dig through vintage items such as glassware, china, jewelry and more. (Items were collected earlier this year through donations for the sale.)
At the Pre-Sale Day you can check out the offerings before anyone else. ($5 fee that day; other shopping days are free.)
Another bonus: This is also an open-air marketplace held in the Burnside barn. If you prefer, you can also shop the online sale, which runs through April 2. You can shop for items and then pick them up on April 10 and 11.
Info, online shop: historicbethlehem.org/events/new-to-you/
Gather your kids and enjoy a (virtual) Bach Choir performance
What: Bach, Bikes and Basketball
When: 3 to 4 p.m. April 11
Where: Virtual concert through YouTube
How much: Free
Details: Usually spring is when the Bach Choir travels to schools and presents performances for third- and fifth-grade students in the Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton school districts. With restrictions in place because of the pandemic, this can’t happen this year.
Instead, the Bach Choir has planned a virtual program that teachers, parents, and students can access online and share, along with activities that students can participate in relating to the video.
In “Bach, Bikes and Basketball” students will learn about the life of J.S. Bach, especially his childhood and early music education and learn how his music has influenced composers, musicians, and dancers to this day. The presentation will include archival footage from previous concerts, including “Basketball Gigue!”
Hosted and narrated by Greg Funfgeld, the video also offers lessons and conversation from soloists and instrumentalists, and interaction with students, all sharing their own insights about the genius of Bach’s music.
Info, registration: bach.org/event/bach-bikes-basketball/
Look back at a decade of local film
What: The Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival
When: March 31 to April 3
Where: Virtual, produced via Zoom while simulcast on Facebook Live via the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas page.
How much: Free
Details: As it marks its 10th year, the Greater Lehigh Valley Filmmaker Festival will switch to a virtual format and look back at some of the best films of the decade and ahead to the future of filmmaking. The festival is not accepting new submissions this year but will offer an array of filmmaker panels and special projects, including a nostalgic retrospective on some of the festival’s most memorable winners.
Festival highlights:
9:30 p.m. April 2: “Reel Memories:” A fun, interactive discussion all about our love of the moviegoing experience.
1 p.m. April 3: Actor/director Daniel Roebuck of Bethlehem will sit down with festival director and ArtsQuest Cinema specialist Anthony DeSanctis to discuss his career in movies, including his plan to make the Lehigh Valley a hub for filmmaking in the future. Roebuck has spent more than three decades in Hollywood appearing in major films such as “The Fugitive” and TV shows such as “Lost,” “NYPD Blue,” and “The West Wing.” He’s directed two films, “Getting Grace,” shot mostly in Bethlehem, and “Lucky Louie,” which he filmed in the Valley last fall.
Also on tap: “Reel Winners:” A two-part series of compilation reels featuring GLVFF winning projects from the last decade, followed by Q&A sessions with the filmmakers; as well as various panel and webinar discussions spotlighting acclaimed filmmakers and their experiences within the business
Info: steelstacks.org/festivals/greater-lehigh-valley-filmmaker-festival/
Flock to Hawk Mountain
What: Spring weekend programs
When: Saturdays and Sundays through May 16
Where: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, Berks County
Details: Generally speaking, if you are looking to get outside and visit with nature, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is an excellent choice. There are hiking trails for all abilities and programs that can help you learn more about hawks and other birds of prey.
Among the many things you can do there, we want to bring your attention to the “spring weekend” programs:
Raptors Up Close! 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Outdoor Amphitheater or Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe Gallery: This is the sanctuary’s signature live raptor program, where you get the chance to hawks and owls and learn more about what puts them at the top of nature’s food chain.
Name That Raptor, 12:30 p.m. at Laurelwood Niche: Learn to identify common raptors including learning the basic size differences, shapes and behaviors that help you key in on the correct species, as well as how to watch for the silhouette of a bird that is soaring overhead.
History of Hawk Mountain, 10 a.m. at Laurelwood Niche: This is a chance to learn more about Hawk Mountain, its history and how it works to expand raptor research and conservation education around the globe.
Trapping & Tracking, 11 a.m. near South Lookout: Learn the tools and technologies used to study long-distance migrants. This program is informative and entertaining, with lots of hands-on samples for you to look at and touch, and includes information on satellite and radio telemetry, wing-tagging, and the importance of counting migrating hawks.
All weekend programs are free with your trail fee or membership, and no registration is required.
Trail fees: Adults: $10; seniors (65+): $7; children (6-12): $5; children 5 and under: free
