When asked what we do here at Discover Lehigh Valley I often answer, “We sell fun”. That’s over simplification, but you get the idea. We want everyone to know all the cool things there are to see and do in our great region.

Others who are charged with sharing their knowledge of the area are the fine folks at our PennDot Keystone Welcome Centers. Last Thursday I had the pleasure of escorting Kathy and Abeda on a “mini-familiarization” tour and duplicated the tour on Friday for Anne, April, Johnnie and Chris.

Using our Official Visitors Guide they compiled a list of places they’d like to visit and I did my best to include as many as possible. We started bright and early at the Sands Casino Resort. Gary Scott, a Front Services Manager, could not have been more welcoming as he showed us around the hotel, (you must see the Presidential Suites), Casino floor, Restaurants, Meeting Space and Outlets.

We finished up on stage at the Event Center, undoubtedly my only chance to appear there.

Next, we headed to ArtsQuest where Mark Demko and Curt Mosel highlighted all the fabulous programming their organization offers throughout the year at their various venues. If you haven’t been to SteelStacks or the Levitt Pavilion you need to go. You’ll be hooked.

Moving along we made stops at Historic Bethlehem’s Visitor Center to hear about their various tours offered, and then off to America On Wheels for a quick walk through with Linda Merkel.

Our stomachs were growling by the time we reached Allentown Brew Works for a tour of their restaurant, lounges and banquet space. Luckily, we were having lunch there as well!

Next on the agenda was the Mack Truck Museum at their Customer Care Center. Free tours are given by retired Mack workers and you could spend hours learning about the rich history of this iconic company and its contributions to the world.

We concluded our day at the Martin Guitar Factory. Since we missed the last of the free factory tours and had a limited amount of time Sherri Hoff gave her mini-tour of the floor and an introduction to the Museum.

All of my guests were extremely impressed with each of the places we visited and vowed to visit them all again with friends and family when they had more time. There are so many other places that are on my Lehigh Valley “must visit” list…but they’ll have to wait for another day.

What do you think should be included in my next Lehigh Valley “mini-fam”?

The Championship is set.

Emerging from the left side of the bracket is 02 Lehigh Valley IronPigs and their opponent from the right side of the bracket is 01 Musikfest.

Both teams are family fun, summertime activities and, as such, had high expectations coming into the Lunacy.

Let’s take a look at how they both got here.

The 02 Lehigh Valley IronPigs came out of the very competitive Play region, where they moved on past 15 Lehigh Valley Grand Prix in the 1st round, 07 The Velodrome in the 2nd Round and 03 The Crayola Experience. In the Play Championship they won over the tournament’s last remaining Cinderella in 09 Lehigh Valley Zoo and in the Final Four they moved past Eat Champion 04 Allentown Brew Works.

01 Musikfest lived up to their seed by surpassing 16 Riverside Festival of the Arts in the 1st Round, 08 Christkindlmarkt in the 2nd Round and 05 Das Awkscht Fescht. In the Event Championship they survived 02 The Great Allentown Fair and a song of victory carried them through the Final Four past fellow number 01 Bear Creek Mountain Resort.

Can the ‘Pigs hit it out of the park or will the ‘fest strike the final chord?

Now, it’s your turn.

Really!

It’s all up to you and every time you vote, you will be entered to win an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Center City Allentown, including breakfast for two and parking. ]]> http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2013/03/28/play/2013-lehigh-valley-lunacy-championship-matchup/feed/ 0 http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2013/03/23/play/2013-lehigh-valley-lunacy-final-four/ http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2013/03/23/play/2013-lehigh-valley-lunacy-final-four/#comments Sat, 23 Mar 2013 15:00:02 +0000 Jason Stershic http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/?p=14181

And there were four, the Final Four.

Lehigh Valley Lunacy, which began March 1st with 64 participants is now down to four teams playing in semi-final matchups to get to the Championship!

As we get down to the end of the tournament, voting for the rounds won’t last as long, so spread the word!

Here’s the Elite Eight:

Play:

• Cinderella #9 Lehigh Valley Zoo’s clock finally struck midnight as they lost to #2 Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

Eat:

• There was a Hop Explosion and it spelled the end for #3 Yocco’s as they fell to #4 Allentown Brew Works.

Play v. Eat for the chance to go to the Championship sets up with #2 Lehigh Valley IronPigs v. #4 Allentown Brew Works. Both teams have a lot in common, so it’ll be sure to be an interesting matchup.

Stay:

• #1 Bear Creek continued it’s dominance through the bracket by eliminating dark horse #3 Historic Hotel Bethlehem in a close call.

Events:

• Powerhouse #1 Musikfest has moved on past #2 The Great Allentown Fair in an epic battle that saw lots of lead changes and plenty of ties, but down the stretch the ‘Fest had more in the tank than the Fair..

Stay v. Events is the match up we expected this round #1 Bear Creek v. #1 Musikfest. It’s anyone’s game now.

Remember winners will be chosen by public vote. Vote as often as you’d like, remember the more you vote, the better your chances of winning. This time around you must vote for each match-up.

Voting Dates for each round and prize.
(At the end of each round we’ll give one voter a gift.)

Final 4: March 23 – 27 (Four passes for Paintball at Skirmish USA)
Championship: March 28 – April 1 (Overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Center City Allentown, including breakfast for two and parking.)

Dear Lehigh Valley,

Happy Valentine’s Day! We love living here and we wanted to share some of our most favorite things about you on this day of romance. So, sit back, relax and we hope you enjoy!

1. Main Streets: We love the way that you have quaint Main Streets in some of our favorite spots such as Emmaus, Bethlehem, Bath, Nazareth and many more. They really bring out your down home charm and are great places to shop for interesting gifts you may not find anywhere else. Your downtown areas also have some of the best dining this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. Besides, there is something to be said for strolling along a beautiful main street on a warm afternoon.

2. Music: Did we ever tell you how much we adore the music you have? Musikfest has been around for quite some time and we look forward to it every year. However, now with Artsquest Center at SteelStacks and the Musikfest Cafe, as well as the Sands Bethlehem Event Center, we are able to see great acts year round. We used to have to drive hours to see some of these great acts and now we have them in our own backyard!

3. Education: You know we’ve always admired how smart you are. With ten local colleges and universities, it’s hard to keep up with your book smarts! Many Lehigh Valley residents have graduated from places such as Lehigh University, DeSales University, Lafayette College, Moravian College, Muhlenberg College, Cedar Crest College, Northampton Community College, Penn State Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Carbon Community College and Kutztown. And, many graduates who have left the area after graduating still come back to visit.

4. Sports: We’d be lying if we didn’t enjoy your trim physique from playing so many different sports! All of the aforementioned colleges sports programs play nearly year-round. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are the most well-attended Triple-A baseball team in the country and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms will be playing in downtown Allentown in 2014. We also have the FC Sonic soccer club for futbol fans! This is not to mention all of the great outdoor activities going on all year long.

Ed Hanna

5. Ed Hanna: For as much grief as weather men and women get, Ed Hanna is usually right on the money. Whether the weather is going to be a cold snap or a heat wave, Ed delivers it with a smile and makes our days that much brighter!

In conclusion, we think you’re really swell, Lehigh Valley.

Love,

Us

P.S. We also really love your wine selection! ]]> http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2013/02/14/discover/a-valentines-letter-to-lehigh-valley-top-5-things-to-love/feed/ 0 http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2013/01/04/play/first-cupcake-bowl-is-a-sweet-success-in-lehigh-valley/ http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2013/01/04/play/first-cupcake-bowl-is-a-sweet-success-in-lehigh-valley/#comments Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:15:05 +0000 Kim Lilly http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/?p=13422

Sometimes things just roll the right way and you get lucky in life. That happened to me just last week as I was chosen to be one of the four official judges (there was also the “People’s Choice Awards”) to cast my vote on the “Best Frosting,” “Best Cake,” “Best Decoration,” and “Best Overall Combo” at the Inaugural ArtsQuest™ Cupcake Bowl. I do have a background in judging food competitions and competing in cake decorating contests, and I have a degree from the Culinary Institute of America which kind of gives me the chops to judge this event, but I have never done cupcakes before. I’m also a super huge fan of Cupcake Wars, well anything on the Food Network or Cooking Channel for that matter.

So, the morning of December 29, I prepped my stomach with a banana and water and headed to ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks along with 425 others, to this sold-out event. There were 15 Lehigh Valley bakeries that participated with some entering three selections. All-in-all there were 39 cupcakes to try! Ahhhh … bliss AND sugar high AND then crash AND burn.

So, here’s the rundown on what I got to try:

Amy’s Sweets & Treats: Gingerbread cupcake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting; Luca B chocolate cake with marshmallow & caramel center topped with chocolate & vanilla buttercream; Jerry Lee chocolate cake with cookie dough center topped with peanut butter frosting

Antonella’s Bakery: Tiramisu; Butter Pecan

Cathy’s Creative Catering & Café: Berry Dream; Christ”mint” Delight

Cesy’s Cupcakery: Snickers Dark; Chocolate Addict; Night Snack

Cuddles’ Cupcake Bar: Cheers to the New Year; Wintery Decadence; Brainteaser

Delightful Designs: Almond Coconut D-Light; Tres Leches Crème D-Light; Strawberry Sweet D-Light

Granny Schmidt’s Bake Shop: Chocolate Salted Caramel; Vanilla Half-Baked; Granny’s Tipsy

Iron Lakes Country Club: Peppermint Tres Leche

Kym’s Creations Bakery: Vanilla and Chocolate (unsure of names)

Lehigh Catering: Hot Chocolate; Pumpkin Torte; Fire and Ice

Louie’s Bakery: Hot Chocolate; Coconut Cream

Rodale Catering & Events: Harvest Cake with Pear Buttercream; Ancho Devil’s Food Cake with Blood Orange Buttercream

Sugar So Sweet: Dark Chocolate Banana; Ginger Spiced Vanilla; Coconut Pecan

The Flour Shop Bakery: Salty Turtle; Waffle House; Sour Cream Apple Pie

Trixie’s Treats: Warm Sugar Cookie; Banana Fluffernutter; French Toast with Candied Bacon

Official judges awards went to:

“Best Frosting” – Luca B from Amy’s Sweets & Treats

“Best Cake” – Pumpkin Torte from Lehigh Catering

“Best Decoration” – Banana Fluffernutter from Trixie’s Treats

“Best Overall Combo” – Butter Pecan from Antonella’s Bakery

People’s Choice awards went to:

1st Place – Hot Chocolate from Louie’s Bakery

Runner-up – Jerry Lee from Amy’s Sweets & Treats

I would highly recommend most of the cupcakes on this list! There were a few surprises such as the one topped with fried chicken (Cesy’s) and the after-kick from the chilis in the cake from Rodale. Some of the cupcakes were too sweet, some too dry, but overall what’s not to love about dessert? A few of my favorites that didn’t win were the Tiramisu from Antonella’s and the Coconut Cream from Louie’s.

This event was a benefit for ArtsQuest’s arts education programming fund and helped raise more than $10,000 for the nonprofit’s arts education and outreach programs in the community. Do you think you would have had the chops to judge all 39 cupcakes? I know I can’t wait for their Souper Bowl at the end of the month! Get your tickets now before they sell out.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me A fine piece of jewelry from Cleo’s Gallery.

Ok, you get the idea. I’m not going to make you read the whole song, so here is my Twelve Days of Lehigh Valley gifts I’d like to receive boiled down for your reading pleasure …

Twelve long stem roses from Phoebe Floral,
Eleven performances at State Theatre,
Ten chocolate goodies from Josh Early Candies,
Nine lessons from Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays,
Eight concerts at Penn’s Peak,
Seven meals from Emeril’s,
Six rounds from Olde Homestead Golf Club,
Five races at Lehigh Valley Grand Prix …
Four massages from The Spa at BearCreek,
Three night’s stay at Glasbern,
Two passes to the movies at Frank Banko Ale House,
AND A FINE PIECE OF JEWELRY FROM CLEO’S GALLERY.     

Even if I get a fraction of these goodies in my stocking or under the tree I will be one happy camper! What local Lehigh Valley gifts would you like to see this year?

My family doesn’t mess around when it comes to Christmas. Every square inch of my parent’s house in Mountoursville, Pa  is transformed into Christmas-land. Obviously we go with the basics; some lights on the outside of the house, tree decked out to the nines in the living room, but then we take it the extra mile.

We have not just one, but three trees (one with regular ornaments, one with all snowmen, and one with mice). Christmas plates get swapped out with the normal every day ones. We have a living room full of Santas. German Nutcrackers line the stairs. A dining room overflows with snowmen. Kitchen cabinets are topped with a collection of holiday Coca-Cola bottles.

You get the idea. We go all out, every year.

So what better way to get the family in the Christmas spirit than to give them a tour of the Christmas City? Last weekend, my parents came down for a visit just to see how we do it here in Lehigh Valley.

Our first stop was Christkindlmarkt over at SteelStacks in Bethlehem (you can download a coupon for admission here!). This was also my first time there, and both my family and I were impressed. It was a bit chilly out, so the heated tents made for a great shopping experience. We wandered up and down the aisles seeing what all the different vendors had to offer and sampling everything from English toffee, to salsas and dips, and even wine!

Both my parents and I were able to pick up some great gifts. My brother plays the drums (if you’re reading this, sorry I ruined the surprise!) so I picked him up a t-shirt from Georgie LeHoop, the Drum Artist. You may recognize him- he’s also a regular at Musikfest! We also picked up some beautiful ornaments from Germany’s Käthe Wohlfarht, where we also loved looking at the Nutcrackers.

We then headed on over to Christmas City Village where we wandered up and down the rows of huts looking at the different crafts and collectibles on display. I picked up some cute things to make my apartment a little more festive and some potpourri that smells amazing! From there, we stopped in the Moravian Book Shop on Main Street, as well as one of my favorite stores, The Attic.

After all of our shopping, we had an early dinner at Mama Nina Foccacheria- my parents’ first time there! The food there is always fantastic and with their serving sizes, you’re pretty much guaranteed to have leftovers for lunch the next day (and who can turn down a complimentary glass of wine?). My mom had the stuffed shells, my dad ordered the veal parmesan, and I opted for the seafood trio special. We all sampled each other’s meals and each got the stamp of approval. I suggest getting there early though, as it’s always packed! Even in December, there were people who chose to dine outside under the heat lamps to avoid the wait!

Holiday shopping in the Christmas City just may have become a new family tradition for us. What are your Lehigh Valley must-sees for the holidays?

♫♫Over the next 25 days leading up to  Christmas

Discover Lehigh Valley will give to you

tons of stuff from local businesses and attractions.♫♫

Ok, so that doesn’t rhyme. But it doesn’t matter because 25 Days of Lehigh Valley Giveaways will run from today, November 30, through Christmas Eve.

Every day at around Noon, we will be posting a giveaway from a Lehigh Valley business or attraction on Facebook. We’ll ask a question along with that post and will then pick a winner from those who commented.

Please be sure to check our Facebook page every day because if you do not claim your prize within 24 hours it will be sent back to Santa’s workshop. Or just given to a new winner.

Below is a list of all the prizes we will be giving away in no particular order.

Thank you, Happy Holidays and good luck!

25 Days of Lehigh Valley Giveaways

• Gift certificate for two to the Bach Choir’s Allentown Christmas Concert on December 8 along with a two CD set of Christmas in Bethlehem Vol. 3 & 4.
• One certificate good for a Santa Photo Experience package at Lehigh Valley Mall. Valid through December 24, 2012.
• Four tickets to Christmas in Nazareth on Saturday, December 15 at various downtown Nazareth locations provided by the Moravian Historical Society.
• Four tickets to Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem donated by ArtsQuest. Valid through December 23.
• Four tickets to The Dan Band on December 15 at the Sands® Bethlehem Event Center.
• One certificate good for two tickets to the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s production of “the Nutcracker” on December 16, 2012.
• One certificate good for the Staybridge Suites Allentown Bethlehem Airport’s “Experience the Christmas Package.” Includes overnight accommodations for two with breakfast and tickets and transportation to experience Christkindlmarkt. Valid Thursday – Sunday through December 23, 2013.
• A pair of tickets to The Wallflowers on December 27^th at the Sands® Bethlehem Event Center.
• The Spirit of America DVD donated by the Liberty Bell Museum of Allentown, home of Pip the Mouse and the puppet show “The Mouse Before Christmas.”
• Two certificates for a family of four for admission to the 8^th Wonder of the World Attraction, the Merchants’ Square Model Train Exhibit.
• Three $20 gift certificates to any Bounce U location in Lehigh Valley. Valid through November 8, 2013.
• One certificate good for an overnight stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Bethlehem. Valid through December 12, 2013.
• One certificate good for an overnight stay at Hyatt Place Bethlehem. Valid through December 12, 2013.
• Two tickets to any production in the Act 1 DeSales University Performing Arts Season. Valid through December 1, 2013.
• One certificate good for one weekend night stay for two people with breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn Allentown Bethlehem Airport. Valid through November 30, 2013
• One certificate valid for Sunday brunch for four at Peddler’s Village Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant. Valid through September 11, 2013.
• Three certificates each valid for a family of four to experience Lost River Caverns. Valid through June 30, 2013.
• Tapas on Main Head Chief Rafael Palomino’s cookbook, Latin Grill.
• One $50 gift card to the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley. Valid one year from first use.
• One certificate good for two tickets to any production during the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival at DeSales University during the 2013 season. Valid through August 31, 2013.
• A family four-pack of tickets to whitewater rafting from Pocono Whitewater. Valid through December 31, 2015.
• Two four-packs to play skirmish from Skirmish USA. This includes the guns, goggles, facemask; unlimited N2 air fills for the day, field judges, for the entire day of play. Valid through March 1, 2015.
• Four tickets in the 4^th row to see the Little River Band with special guest Fran Cosmo at Penn’s Peak on February 1, 2013.
• A signed Copy of the “Organic Manifesto” and “The Prince’s’ Speech on the Future of Food” donated by Rodale Catering, plus a few delicious surprises.
• State Theatre Center for the Arts FREDDY Awards prize pack which includes a $25 State Theatre gift card, Most Valuable Players DVD and two FRED X t-shirts.
• One certificate good for two to a Whitewater Challengers “Adventure Weekend.” This package includes rafting for two on the Lehigh River, lunch, plus one night of camping at the Whitewater Challengers Adventure Campground. Valid Sunday – Friday April 1 through October 20, 2013.
• Certificate for a one night stay in a traditional room at the Lafayette Inn. Valid through December December 20, 2013.
• One certificate good for a midweek ski & stay for two guests at Bear Creek Mountain Resort. Valid through March 15, 2013.
• One certificate good for two house concert tickets at Landhaven Bed & Breakfast. Vaild through January 31, 2014.
• Cigar prize pack which includes five cigars from Famous Smoke Shop and a $20 gift card to Leaf Cigar Bar and Restaurant.
• Family four pack to Delaware River Tubing including a meal for all at the famous River Hot Dog Man. No expiration date.
• Replica diecast collector Bus measuring 8’ long and 1:64 in scale from Easton Coach.
• Tea for Two at the Bridgeton House in Easton
• A Penn State Lehigh Valley 100th anniversary cookbook and Penn State apron.

There were plenty of options this year at Musikfest. There always are. Throughout the ‘fest we’ve documented our travels starting with this great video of the Slicked Up 9′s playing at the Musikfest Cafe opening night.

We also hit up the Young the Giant show, not a bad way to start the festing, and we weren’t done yet.

Headlining Musikfest’s day two was Sublime with Rome and day three was MGMT.

Day four we found out that the “Heart of Rock and Roll” still beats at Lehigh Valley’s Musikfest with Huey Lewis and Joe Cocker, although there wasn’t any doubt of that…

The next night we were moved by Goo Goo Dolls and their special guest George Dennehy. On to night six, where we were Reelin’ in the Years with The Dukes of September.

Then came the rain, Band of Skulls and a rain shortened Jane’s Addiction set, not that the rain could damper our festivities.

“A Change will do you Good” so we slowed it down on the eighth night of the ‘fest with Sheryl Crow. We did take a break on ninth day missing Daughtry in concert, but we made it back on the final day to see Boston close down Musikfest 2012.

Don’t get the wrong idea, we didn’t just go to concerts. We showed up hours early for the show, ate and drank at our favorite vendors, danced a few polkas and shopped. It’s all par for the course and we can’t wait for the ‘festing to begin again… Thank goodness it’s only 10 days a year!

They say that songs and scents are among the most powerful ways to conjure reminiscence. Sunday night’s Boston concert at Sands SteelStacks did just that for me. Sitting there among the packed audience under the stars on that sultry summer night, with the smell of Musikfest goodies and beer wafting into my nostrils and Boston belting out their songs just as they did in 1977, sent me right back to high school.

The group members juxtaposed old and new as several new additions complemented some original artists, but the sounds were authentic and the energy outstanding. Starting with Rock & Roll Band, and reeling off hit after hit, to More than a Feeling, and Long Time, the group interspersed longtime favorites with incredible instrumental interludes. Curly, the drummer, went nuts whaling away and setting a beat that resonated rhythmically in my chest. It was the heartbeat of the music that brought together everyone in the audience.

Some new things made the group even better. The audio equipment on stage was impressive and elaborate, and probably worth more than many people’s retirement portfolios. We enjoyed some incredible visuals too — pictures and swirling lights projected behind the band that sucked you in if you stared at it for awhile. Video clips of the original band again contrasted the old alongside the new. And as the evening descended, the predominantly middle-aged audience also seemed to transform a little as the cloak of night and the vigor of the group made us all look and feel just a little bit younger.

I swayed and clapped and raised my hands over my head until the blood left my fingertips. It was a transporting evening. And Boston’s own lyrics couldn’t capture it better:

I woke up this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away

It’s more than a feeling
More than a feeling
When I hear that old song they used to play …

Click here to view the embedded video.

Guest blogger Laura Eppler is the Director of Marketing at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania. ]]> http://blog.discoverlehighvalley.com/2012/08/14/play/more-than-a-feeling-boston-at-musikfest-2012/feed/ 0 0.0000000 0.0000000