Laini’s List: 9 Things to do this Week – July 19-21

Sunday

12–8 PM

Meuser Park, Easton

Inaugural pickle festival at Meuser Park, where every food vendor is required to feature at least one pickle-themed item — expect deep-fried pickles, briny desserts, and things that shouldn’t work but probably do. Local makers, food trucks, and family activities fill the afternoon before TimeWhys closes out the Meuser Park Summer Concert Series from 6 to 8 PM. Free, rain or shine.

Sunday

Parade 12 PM | Festival 1 PM

Hamilton Street, Allentown (parade) / Allentown Fairgrounds (festival)

The Lehigh Valley Puerto Rican Parade returns to Hamilton Street this year after years away from its historic route — flag raising at 11 AM, parade at noon, then the festival continuing at the Allentown Fairgrounds at 1 PM with music, floats, food, and family gatherings. A significant homecoming for one of the region’s largest annual cultural celebrations. Free along the parade route.

Sunday

11 AM–4 PM

Bethlehem Rose Garden, Bethlehem

Sixty-plus vendors set up in the Bethlehem Rose Garden with vintage goods, antiques, and collectibles, including several expanded “mega booths” this week. Free admission, free street parking all day. Going early gets you the best finds; the park itself is reason enough to linger.

Sunday

2–3 PM

The Wicked Botanist, Bethlehem

The Wicked Botanist’s beaded sun catcher class turns a String of Pearls design into a hanging “forever plant” to take home, with all supplies and instruction included. Ticket sales are final — no refunds — and arriving more than 15 minutes late means sitting this one out.

Monday

7:30 PM

State Theatre, Easton

Alison Krauss & Union Station play the State Theatre Monday night, touring behind 2025’s Arcadia after nearly four decades together. Tickets run $130–210 with fees included — a rare booking for a Monday, and for this venue.

Tuesday

6 PM–8 PM

Bethlehem Area Public Library (Cohen Room), Bethlehem

Bethlehem’s six sister cities — Tondabayashi, Murska Sobota, Corfu, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Foiano di Val Fortore, and Patillas — each get a station for a walk-through hour, followed by a discussion on the histories and relationships behind the program. Free at the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s Cohen Room, registration requested.

Wednesday

12–1:30 PM

Valley Health Partners at South Side, Easton

The Kellyn Eat Real Food Mobile Market makes its first monthly stop at VHP’s South Side location, bringing fresh produce and ready-to-enjoy healthy meals to the neighborhood through September. The market accepts cash, credit, WIC, FMNP, and EBT — and it’s worth asking about the Fresh Food Voucher Program to see if you qualify.

Thursday

5–8 PM

West Ward Market, 923 Pine St, Easton

The 20th Annual Zucchini 500 turns the versatile veggie into gravity-fueled racing machines at the West Ward Market — zucchini, wheels, axles, and carving equipment all provided, with a pit crew on hand to help build. Kids race in three categories before the adult heat, trophies go to the fastest in each class, and every racer takes home a souvenir medallion. Donations appreciated.

Thursday

6–8:30 PM

Scott Park, Easton

Blues-rock guitarist and Martin Guitar ambassador Craig Thatcher brings his band to Scott Park for a free evening show by the river — a player who’s shared stages with Buddy Guy, John Mayall, and Jonny Lang, working through blues, rock, folk, and funk. Bring a chair, catch the sunset over the Forks of the Delaware.