Photos & Story by: Kimberly Kanuck
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend with an outdoors theme, head over to SteelStacks and the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem. For the fourth year in a row, Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley is a free family festival with presentations, activities, and plenty to purchase, featuring more than 25 different organizations focused on conservation, wildlife and outdoor recreation.
There are few key events worth checking out. The Keystone DockDogs are back for a competition on both June 2nd and 3rd. There will be plenty of excitement as these talented dogs leap into a 40 ft pool of water! Don’t miss their events focusing on Big Air Dogs®, Extreme Vertical® and Speed Retrieve.® On Sunday June 3rd at 10am there’s an opportunity to gear up for your first mud run by challenging yourself on a two-mile course with up to 10 obstacles to tackle! And lastly, when you’re ready to take a break from the humidity, head inside to the Fowler Blast Furnace Room for the new Nature-Themed Artisan Show. Presented by Ah-Ha! Arts Management, the Artisan Pop-Up Show was started to cultivate new artisans and provide an outlet for artisans that often can’t personally attend the show (for a variety of reasons) to showcase and sell their beautiful work. This allows them to sell in non-traditional ways.
They also started an Emerging Artist Program where artists can apply to receive free entry and booth space at their events. This attracts new artisans providing them a more affordable way to get started selling their works of art. I had the pleasure of speaking with the Ah-Ha! crew as well as the designated Emerging Artist Stephanie Spencer. Stephanie is the owner of Falling Leaves Studio in Fountain Hill. She focuses on ceramic sculptures made for the yard and garden including toadstools, toad houses and mushrooms. Stephanie is featured in one of my photos proudly displaying her ceramic leaf dishes and necklaces with handmade clay charms.
Ah-Ha! Arts Management’s next event will be held at the Macungie Memorial Park in September. Please visit www.Ah-HaArtsMgmt.com for more information. For more information about the Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley event and schedule, please visit http://www.steelstacks.org/festivals/stepoutdoors/.
