SUMMER ADVENTURE AT LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO
The idea of packing everything needed for two adults and two kids for a week-long vacation was a bit overwhelming, so we opted for a staycation instead.
Sounds like an ideal situation until you find yourself at home with two bored children. I needed to find some family fun and fast.
Among the regional attractions like Crystal Cave and Daniel Boone Homestead, I found Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, an easy drive from the Kempton area. Taking 143 all the way to 309 brought me close to the zoo and in the time it took the kids to take a nap.
I met my Mom at the zoo. I strapped my youngest into the stroller and we rolled into the zoo. My 6-year-old daughter had visited the zoo earlier this year for a school field trip, so, being the expert in our group, she lead the way to the animal habitats, like the penguins, otters, and, her favorite, the wolves. There is also a very tall giraffe, Murphy. There was a rather long line of families waiting for the chance to walk up to the feeding deck to feed Murphy. We watched from below, marveling at seeing a tall giraffe so close.
The next two hours was a whirlwind of activity, sights, smells and food.
Being Farm Fest Weekend, there was feeding the goats and sheep. Anna learned how to milk a cow with a wooden practice cow with rubber udders. We talked to one of the zoo keepers about a drama queen pig who fussed about being cooled down with water.
Then, of course, what is an outing with the kids without playground time. The kids enjoyed playing on the zoo playground, twice.
Highlights for Anna were eating ice cream and trying to get a cold drink from the crazy wild water fountain. Water shot up high over her head and soaked her, which was welcome fun on that hot day.
The one thing that Anna really got excited about was seeing the wolves in their habitat exhibit and then pretending to be a wolf herself when she crawled inside a mock wolf den created by the zoo to give kids an idea of how wolves live in the wild.
The best part of the day for me, other than finding something to occupy my children for a couple of hours, was seeing my Mom and children smiling, thoroughly enjoying themselves on a summer adventure.
This Saturday evening, July 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Borough of Kutztown’s 2017 Concert Series in the Park continues with the performance of The Fabulous Greaseband.
The oldies band is a seven member group singing and playing the best of the rock and roll oldies spanning the period of 1950 through the ’90s. In their 40 years of existence, they continue to thrill crowds throughout the east coast with their sounds and show. The stage will come alive with the sounds of the memorable Doo Wop groups and Oldies bands of the era. They will entertain with many well known favorite songs of the era as well as some one-hit wonders. Artists such as Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison, The Righteous Brothers, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, The Platters, Elvis Pressley, and many other household names will be heard on stage in the Kutztown Park bandshell.
The band has become very popular as they bring their style and entertainment reminiscent of the great tribute bands as they dance and sing to some of the most popular and memorable hits and classics. If you like the sounds of the Oldies, then this is an event you have to see.
Saturday will start off with the Kutztown Community Partnership sponsoring of Kutztown Kruizz on Main Street from noon to 5 p.m., followed by the concert with The Fabulous Greaseband in the Kutztown Park from 6 to 8 p.m. So plan to make a day of it in Kutztown, and come for the car show in the afternoon and make your way to the Kutztown Park for the concert.
The concert is free to the public and is part of the Borough of Kutztown 2017 Concert Series in the Parkand will be held rain or shine in the covered Kutztown Park Bandshell.
The concert series is made possible by the Borough of Kutztown and the generous support of the following co-sponsors. Major Sponsor: East Penn Manufacturing Co. and the Kutztown Lions Club, Gold Sponsors: Edward J. Hildenbrand Funeral Home, Kutztown Grange, Optimist Club of Kutztown, and Russell E. Conrad Inc. Silver Sponsors: Moyer Total Indoor Comfort, Great Valley Consultants, SSM Group Inc., the Law Firm of Barley Snyder, The Windsor Press Inc. Bronze Sponsor: East Penn Podiatry Associates, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Foliage Farm Nursery Center, Fulton Mortgage Company, John Schmoyer, Huguenot Lodge No. 377 F&AM, Kutztown Community Partnership, Ludwick Funeral Homes Inc., Mamma’s Delight Pizza & Restaurant, Meadowood Music, BB&T, Ozgoods Grill & Bar Patron Sponsors: Kutztown Bottling Works, Adam ’n Eve Boutique, Dr. Wm. Messersmith & Dr. Matthew Keller, Dentistry, Duffer’s Beverages, Lehigh Cement Co., Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green and Kutztown Borough Council President Kevin Snyder.