Enjoy a summer of free events in Lehigh Valley

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/kids/mc-free-concerts-movies-events-lehigh-valley-20120623,0,1428665,full.story FROM THE MORNING CALL Here are some highlights of the 50-plus free summer concerts: •Craig Thatcher Band, top-notch local blues, June 30. •Masters of Motown, a tribute act, July 6. •The Soul Rebels, a New Orleans horns band, July 8. •The Tom Chapin Band, Grammy-winning folk group, July 12. •Duke Ellington Legacy Band, July 14. •Orleans, '70s soft rockers ("Dance with Me," "Still the One"), July 28. •Doo Wop Project, featuring members of "The Jersey Boys," Aug. 16. •Firefall, '70s soft-rock band ("You Are the Woman," "Just Remember I Love You"), Aug. 18. •The Prodigals, Irish rock, Aug. 24. In addition, ArtsQuest offers free nationally known children's performers at 11 a.m. every Saturday through July and some Wednesdays. The Peas and Q's shows are at Levitt Pavilion during the summer, or inside the ArtsQuest Center if it rains. Info: http://www.artsquest.org/family. Highlights: •Stacey Peasley Band, kids group from Boston, June 30. •Seona McDowell, folk rock singer from Australia, July 7. •Big Bang Boom, power pop trio that includes Chuck Folds, younger brother of piano rocker Ben Folds, July 11. •Moona Luna, second project of New York-based Sandra Velasquez and her critically acclaimed Latin band Pistolera, July 18. •Princess Katie and Racer Steve, New York City-based rock band for kids, July 21. •The Anna Banana Band, featuring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from Brooklyn, July 28. Free festivals and fairs •Lehigh Valley SportsFest: Watch hundreds of amateur athletes compete in more than 35 sports, from boxing to basketball to dog agility, July 19-22. Most events are at Cedar Beach Park in Allentown, but there are competitions in other venues. http://www.sportsfest.org. •Musikfest: The 10-day entertainment extravaganza arrives Aug. 3-12 with hundreds of performances and activities for adults and children in downtown Bethlehem and at SteelStacks. It's the nation's largest free, non-gated music festival. Of course, you need to buy tickets if you want to see the daily headliner act such as Joe Cocker, Sheryl Crow and Daughtry on the Steel Stage. http://www.musikfest.org, 610-332-FEST. •The Allentown Fair: The end-of-summer bash is Aug. 28 to Sept. 3. While there is an admission fee (and amusement rides are extra), admission is free for everyone on opening day from 4-11 p.m.; before 2 p.m. Aug. 29, 30 and 31, and for kids under 12 every day. http://www.allentownfairpa.org, 610-433-7541. Movies outdoors and in theaters You can watch a summer's worth of second-run movies for free on big screens at parks and in movie theaters. For outdoor movies, shows start at dusk. •Allentown: "Puss in Boots," June 29, Roosevelt Park; "The Muppets," July 20, Union Terrace; "Dolphin Tale," Aug. 3, Cedar Beach Pool ($2 to enter pool); "Captain America," Aug. 18, West Park. •Bethlehem: "Shark Tale," June 29, Memorial Pool; "Smurfs," July 10, Elmwood Park; "Planet 51," July 17, Payrow Plaza; "The Muppets," July 25, Fritz Park. http://www.moviesgamesnmore.org •Easton: "Spy Kids 4," Easton Area Neighborhood Center, June 26; "Toy Story 3," Nevin Park, Easton, June 27; "Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol," June 30, Scott Park; "Zookeeper," July 10, Southside; "The Perfect Game," July 11, Nevin Park; "The Vow," July 14, Scott Park; "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," July 25, Nevin Park; "Mamma Mia!" July 28, Scott Park; "A Smile as Big as the Moon," August 7, Easton Area Neighborhood Center, and August 9, 9th and Washington streets; "Big Miracle," August 21, Easton Area Neighborhood Center, August 22, Nevin Park and August 23, 9th and Washington streets. •SteelStacks: Free family movies under the stars at Levitt Pavilion in south Bethlehem. Start at 8 p.m. "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," June 27; "Despicable Me," July 11; "The NeverEnding Story," July 18; "The Incredibles," July 25; "Toy Story" (the first in the series from 1995) Aug. 1. http://www.artsquest.org. • Bear Creek Resort: "Independence Day," June 29: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," July 27; "Top Gun," Aug. 24. http://www.bcmountainresort.com/movies-under-stars •The Rave: Theater at the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley shows free kids movies Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.; show time is 10. "Legend of the Guardians," June 26 and 27; "Yogi Bear," July 3 and 4; "Happy Feet Two," July 10 and 11; "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," July 17 and 18; "Dolphin Tale," July 24 and 25; "Shorts," July 31 and August 1; "Inkheart," August 7 and 8; "Happy Feet," August 14 and 15: http://www.thepromenadeshopsatsauconvalley.com. •Carmike 16: Theater at 1700 Catasauqua Road, Allentown has a Summer Kids Series that isn't free, but is a great bargain: $2 for movie, drink and popcorn. 10 a.m. Thursdays. Movies include "Kung Fu Panda," June 28; "Shark Tale," July 5; "How To Train Your Dragon," July 12; "Madagascar 2," July 19; "Bee Movie," July 26; "Monsters vs. Aliens," August 2; "Megamind," August 9. 610-264-9694. Free music series •Lively Lunches in the Parks: Live acoustic music in Allentown's Arts Park, Sixth and Linden streets, noon-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Paulie Knakk, June 26; Steve Brosky, July 3; Billy Bauer Band, July 10 and 31 and August 21; Chris Stevenson, July 17; Jay Lapp, July 24 and August 7; Kendal Conrad, Aug. 14. http://www.allentownpa.gov. •Summer in the City: Lunchtime concerts, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Thursdays at PPL Plaza, Ninth and Hamilton streets, Allentown. Large Flowerheads, June 28; Doug Hawk Proposition, July 5; Mike Dugan, July 12; Billy Bauer Band, July 19; Hector Rosado Y Siete, July 26; Dave Fry, August 2; Todd Wolfe Band, August 9; Real West, August 16; Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer, August 23; Marlene Gilley and Joe Plowman Trio, August 30; Tavern Tan, Sept. 6; Dynamic Duo, Sept. 13; Midnight Shift, Sept. 20; Allentown School District City Orchestra, Sept. 27. http://www.hamiltondistrictmainstreet.com •Bethlehem Sculpture Garden Concert: Performances are 6-8 p.m. in Bethlehem's Sculpture Garden, 10 E. Church St. Robbi Kumalo Quartet, July 13; James Supra Blues Band, July 20; Jake Kaligis & the New Constitution, July 27. http://www.bfac-lv.org. •Band concerts: The esteemed Allentown Band, the oldest civilian concert band in the United States, and several other fine municipal bands perform free outdoor concerts throughout the summer. Find a full schedule at themorningcall.com/concert. •Live in the Square: The concert series brings live music to Easton's Centre Square at 7:30 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. Trouble City All-Stars, June 29; Xylophone People, July 27; The Billies, August 31; Ian and Friends, Sept. 28. http://www.eastonmainstreet.org. •Live at Riverside: Local bands play the first Friday of each month at Riverside Park Amphitheatre, Easton. Quimby Mountain Band, 7:30 p.m. July 6; James Supra Blues Band, with opening performance by Easton's School of Rock Bank Street Band, 7 p.m. August 3; The Large Flowerheads, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. http://www.eastonmainstreet.org. •At Promenade: Concerts at Town Square, Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley. Carter Lansing, noon June 29. Evening concerts at 7 p.m. Fridays: Fuzed, June 29; 1 Way Out, July 6; The Large Flowerheads, July 13; Blue Jean, July 20; Riverside Jazz Explosion, July 27. http://www.thepromenadeshopsatsauconvalley.com. Free art and museums •First Friday: On the first Friday of each month, artists at the Banana Factory open their studios, and stores and galleries in south Bethlehem feature live music, refreshments and exhibits. 6-10 p.m. Info: http://www.firstfridaybethlehem.com. •Historic District ArtWalk and Kids' Corner: From 4-8 p.m. the last Saturday of each month, artists and musicians line the sidewalks of Bethlehem's Main and Broad streets. Free art activities for kids include finger painting, coloring contest, sidewalk chalk art and face painting inside Main Street Commons. Info: http://www.downtownbethlehemassociation.com. •Sundays at Allentown Art Museum: Every Sunday, the museum opens its doors for free to the public. Noon to 5 p.m. It also offers Artventures on Sundays, a free drop-in workshop in its Crayola Learning Center with monthly themed art projects for children, in-gallery art activities and more. Info: http://www.allentownartmuseum.org. •Heritage Walks: Hugh Moore Historical Park and Museums sponsors free public walks Sundays at 1:30 p.m. once a month. They begin at the Canal Boat Store, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, and are led by park rangers. Walks are scheduled for July 15, August 19 and Sept. 16. Info: http://www.canals.org. Star gazing •Star parties: The Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society hosts free star parties June 30, July 28, August 25 and Sept. 22 at its South Mountain observatory at 620B E. Rock Road, Allentown. They include a talk at 7 p.m. followed by planetarium shows at 8 and 9 p.m. Info: http://www.lvaas.org. Running series •Kids run: The Lehigh Valley Road Runners sponsors a running series for ages 3-14 on July 7 and 21 and August 4 in Allentown's Lehigh Parkway. Register at 9:30 a.m. http://www.lvrr.org. Get wet •Spray parks: In Allentown, you can cool off on a hot day for free at spray parks at Buck Boyle Park and Fifth and Allen streets, noon-7 p.m. daily. •Pool-N-Paddle: Try your hand at paddling a canoe in two of Allentown's pools. Wildlands Conservancy guides offer this free 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 11 at Jordan Pool and July 21 in Mack Pool. Reading activities •Moravian Book Shop: America's oldest bookstore, in Bethlehem, holds a Summer Reading Olympics. Kids can sign up before July 31 to get a scorecard to track their reading progress, and then turn it in by August 31. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to top readers. At the closing ceremonies Sept. 7, participants get prizes and discounts on books. http://www.moravianbookshop.com. •Libraries: Most area libraries have a free summer reading program, and many are participating in the national Collaborative Summer Library Program "Dream Big — Read," which offers incentives for children to read. •Cops 'n' Kids Reading Room: The reading room on the fourth floor of the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Center, 511 E. Third St., Bethlehem, is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Enjoy story time at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 610-861-5526. Info: http://www.copsnkidslv.org. Cops 'n' Kids also has a reading room at the Easton Area Community Center, 901 Washington St. It's open 2-5 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m.-noon the first and third Saturdays of the month. Info: 610-253-5897. Kids can take home up to three books for free in both Cops 'n' Kids programs. •Community Services for Children: The program at 1520 Hanover Ave, Allentown, is holding a free summer reading program for children up to age 12 called "Rumble in the Jungle" with story time, crafts, snacks and prizes related to a jungle theme. 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays; 10 a.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. Thursdays, through August 9. Info: 610-437-6000, ext. 3140. •Barnes & Noble: The summer reading program gives children in grades 1-6 a chance to earn a free book, by reading eight books and turning in a completed journal sheet through Sept. 4. Go to stores or http://www.bn.com/summerreading. Roller skating •RollerMotion: The center at 1609 Trexlertown Road, Macungie, offers free skating 5:30-8:30 p.m. during Wacky Wednesdays. You just have to contribute a selected item of the week, such as toilet paper or detergent. http://www.rollermotion.com. •Skateaway Roller Rink: Skating at the center, 3860 Lehigh St., Whitehall, is free 6-9 p.m. during Wacky Wednesdays in exchange for a contribution of items such as ChapStick and toothbrushes, which will be sent to troops overseas. http://www.skateaway.biz. The rink also admits Scouts and their families free the first Wednesday of the month. Bowling •Kids Bowl Free: Children ages 15 and under can bowl two free games a day through mid September. Area lanes include Playdrome Rose Bowl, 801 N 15th St, Allentown; Town N Country Bowling Lanes, 1770 Stefko Blvd., Bethlehem; Hampton Lanes, 326 Main St., Northampton. Register at http://www.kidsbowlfree.com. •AMF Bowling Centers: AMF Parkway Lanes, 1630 S. 12th St., Allentown, participates in a free program called Summer Unplugged. It works in much the same way as Kids Bowl Free. Parents can sign up at http://www.freebowling.amf.com and receive two free passes each day via email. Crafts •Home Depot: On the first Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.-noon, kids 5-12 can create toy trucks, bird houses and planters in woodworking workshops. http://www.homedepot.com. •Lowe's: A Build and Grow workshop is offered 10 a.m. every other Saturday and 2 p.m. ever other Sunday. Kids can make woodworking projects such as trucks or a spinning toy. http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com. •Michaels Arts and Crafts: Free children's craft workshops for ages 3-12 are offered. The store's "Passport to Imagination," 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, features crafts from other countries. http://www.michaels.com.