Page 8 - Indulge September 2017

WeekeNderS
faMiLYLoeuGteiNnDGSsOfFotrHtehFeALsLeason
By Jack Romig
Halloween isn’t the only excitement fall has to offer.
Autumn brings us so much more. It’s harvest
time, when the weather tends toward the moderate and
beautiful scenery is close at hand in every direction. The
Lehigh Valley is rich in festivals and celebrations that
share the season’s gifts.
¦ Parents who want their kids to have fun without
terrifying them can try Jack-O-Lantern Lane in Allentown’s
Da Vinci Science Center, 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass. The
Halloween display features more than 50 artisan-decorated
jack-o’-lanterns. Kids can experiment with dry ice at the
Witch’s Cauldron and perform tests on Halloween candies.
The exhibit runs Sept. 23-Nov. 5; center hours are Mon.-Sat.,
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. For more info,
call 484-664-1002 or visit davincisciencecenter.org.
¦ For many years, Grim’s Orchard and Family Farms,
9941 Schantz Road, Breinigsville, has been a fixture for fall said the festival includes tours; a kids’ tent with games, arts
fun. There’s a lot going on: a corn maze, hayrides, cattle
train, bounce pillows and a busy Play Corral. There are also
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pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, and many food items
such as ready-to-eat raw cookie dough. Grim’s Fall Festival is
open weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in September, and in
October, 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays,
and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays (plus Columbus Day). For
more info, call 610-395-5655 or visit grimsgreenhouse.com.
¦ A pick-your-own outing with a different flavor is the
Organic Apple Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at Rodale
Institute, 611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown. The institute’s
organic orchard grows many varieties. All may be eaten fresh,
baked or preserved. The festival, which includes live music
and activities for kids, is free; parking is $5 per car. For more
info, call 610-683-1400 or visit rodaleinstitute.org.
¦ St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Bethlehem, will
hold its semiannual Greek Food Festival, noon to 9 p.m. Sept.
15-17. Father Nicholas Palis, head priest at the cathedral,
and crafts and other activities; and traditional Greek dancing
programs. Good things to eat and drink headline the event,
of course, among them gyros, calamari, mega fries, coffee,
ice cream, baklava and other desserts, plus many more
Greek specialties. For more info, call 610-867-1327 or visit
stnicholas.org.
¦ Hawk Mountain Sanctuary near Kempton is a stunningly
beautiful setting for autumn in the mountains. The sanctuary
offers visitor programs every weekend starting at the beginning
of September. Selections include Name that Raptor, Binocular
Basics and the show-stopping Raptors Up Close!, introducing
guests to live hawks and owls. For more info, call 610-756-
6961 or visit hawkmountain.org.
¦ Hank and George are the stars who tow Pennsylvania’s
only mule-drawn canal boat, the Josiah White II, along the
Lehigh Canal in Easton’s Hugh Moore Park. Such boats once
hauled anthracite from the coal regions to eastern factories.
Now the Josiah White runs passengers from the National
Canal Museum to the Lock tender’s House and back, a
45-minute trip that’s very pretty with the park in autumn
finery. It’s all part of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage
Corridor. For more info, call 610-923-3548 or visit canals.org.
¦ In the shadow of the Appalachians, Blue Mountain
Ranch, 2500 Mountain Road, Bath, offers a place for families
to take in rural Pennsylvania in all its fall beauty. Mike Frantz,
who manages the ranch, said the ranch keeps eight rental
horses for trail rides, and will arrange hayrides or birthday
parties with ponies. Families can also visit the ranch petting
zoo for free. For more info, call 610-837-1940 or visit
facebook.com/BlueRidgeRanch.