Brigita's Blog: July 2008

Here's another music festival that you will enjoy if you love music.  It is the 20th Annual Bluegrass Festival presented by the Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Association.  It starts Thursday, July 31st and runs through Sunday, August 3rd.

Each day brings many different bands and a lot of foot stompin' music.

Weekend tickets are available, at $66 for adults and $33 for children ages 12 - 16, which includes FREE camping and hot showers, along with electric passes for $20.  Tickets for Thursday at $16, Friday at $27, Saturday tickets are $33 and $27 if after 6PM, and Sunday tickets are $27.  Children under 12 get in for FREE with an adult ticket.  Believe it or not, you can also get a ticket for your dog at $10 each, but only if you are camping.

Show times are:

• Thursday - 12:30PM - midnight
• Friday - 9:30AM - midnight
• Saturday - 9:30AM - midnight
• Sunday - 9AM - 6PM

Not only will there be music to enjoy, there will also be workshops, showcases and children's programs.  Ther will also be food and vendors on the grounds.

Click here, if you would like to get more information on the festival.

Sounds like a lot of fun.

C.F. Martin & Co. located in Nazareth, PA, has been building fine musical instruments since 1833. 

Martin guitars are considered among the best made guitars in the world.  I am sure at least one of your favorite music artists plays a Martin guitar.  Musicians such as Hank Williams, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Sting, Kurt Cobain, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer and Trey Anastasio play or played a Martin guitar.  And these are just a few of the big name artists.

To celebrate its 175 years in business, Martin Guitar and Nazareth, PA, it's home town, are throwing a party for everyone to enjoy, on Saturday, August 2nd, from noon until 9PM.  Many models of guitars will be on display in downtown Nazareth, along with a new guitar, the DX 175 anniversary model, which will be raffled off.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Come and listen or bring your instruments.

Nazareth will offer food and drink for sale and space for jamming.  Displays of fine art will be seen along the sidewalks.  In light of Musikfest, taking place in Bethlehem, Nazareth will transform itself into an open air festival of music and art.

The event is being sponsored by the Nazareth Downtown Association and the Nazareth Chamber of Commerce.  Money from the raffle will be put towards revitalizing downtown Nazareth and opening a center for the arts, which will be located in the old Vigilance Fire Hose company building.

We all love music, so come on out and join in on celebrating the 175th anniversary of C.F. Martin & Co.!

Do you enjoy music?  You do??  Then come join us at the 25th Annual Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA.  It will start Friday evening, August 1st, run through the whole week and go out with a bang on Sunday evening, August 10th. 

Musikfest has music for everyone's tastes.  They have small bands, large bands, music from different ethnic backgrounds, rock 'n' roll, jazz, pop, soul, etc.  You name it and you'll most likely find it here.  You can even dance to the polka music, if you wish.

Each year there are many big name performers.  This year there are: Kool and the Gang; Boston; Jethro Tull; Earth, Wind and Fire; John Fogerty; Avril Lavigne; Live; Poison; Stone Temple Pilots; and Lonestar.

Just stroll down through the many platzes and listen to your heart's content.  Most of the music is FREE to listen to, although tickets must be purchased to see the top performers at the Riverplace tent. 

Getting hungry as your listening?  Don't worry.  There's plenty of assorted foods around at the different stands.  Food is purchased by using food tickets, not cash.

See different street performers as you walk down historic Main Street in Bethlehem. 

Don't forget to check out the different crafts tents.  You may find a Christmas present for that person that has everything.

A huge fireworks display will close Musikfest on Sunday, August 10th at 9:45PM.

So, here's your chance to enjoy a day, or even a week, of whatever type of music you fancy.  Who knows, you may even find a new type of music you may enjoy.

Northampton County Annual 4H Fair is coming!!

The 4H Fair will begin Friday, August 1st and run through Sunday, August 3rd.  It will be held at the Northampton County 4H Center in Bushkill Township just 4 miles north of Nazareth, PA.  The admission and parking are FREE.

The 4H members will be exhibiting their project animals at this time.  You will see:  pigs, cows & steer, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits, and yes, even horses.

Not only will you see live animals, there will also be many other projects on display at the blue building (exhibit hall).  Projects such as: art, ceramics, needlepoint, tractor, small engines, bicycles, automotive, woodworking, textile projects, plant science projects and much more.  Too many projects to list.  Believe it or not, 4H also offer projects outside of agriculture. 

The 4Hers have worked hard on these projects for the entire year.

The 4H Fair will also include:

• Club displays
• Lots of good food at a reasonable price
• Silent Auction - starts Friday, 9AM and closes on Sunday, 1PM
• 4H Demonstrations and Club Activities
• Custom Car Show (Friday & Saturday evening)
• Family Games & Entertainment (Friday & Saturday evening)
• Dream Kids
• Fashion Show (Saturday evening)
• Cake Walk (Saturday evening)
• Chicken BBQ -  from 12PM Sunday until sold out - The BBQ chicken is cooked over charcoal and basted with the 4H secret recipe BBQ sauce.  The chicken may be purchased separately or with a baked potato with cole slaw or apple sauce.  The chicken is very tastey.  Mmmmm.  Mmmmm.  Take my word for it.  I look forward to it every year.
• All day Sunday is Horse Round-up.

So, come on out and support the 4H members and see what 4H is all about.  As you can see, there is much to do and enjoy.  And, it's NOT all agriculture and animals.

 Lots of fun for both young and old!! 

Hope to see you there!!

A while back I wrote about Noddy, the world's biggest horse.  Now, I will introduce you to Thumbelina, the world's smallest horse.

Thumbelina is a dwarf miniature horse, born at a miniature horse farm in Missouri.  She was only 11 inches (that's 2.3 hands) tall and weighed 8.5 pounds at birth.  That is what I call tiny.

She is now 17.5 inches (4.1 1/2 hands) tall and currently weighs 58 pounds.  She is recognized by the Guiness Book of World records as the smallest horse in history.

Thumbelina eats only 1 cup of oats and a handful of hay for breakfast and dinner.  Her favorite place to sleep is in a dog house instead of a stall.  

Thumbelina's job is important, though.  She visits many children around the country at hospitals, special camps and schools, group homes and shelters and brightens their day.

I wouldn't mind having a horse like Thumbelina around in my backyard.  She doesn't eat much and is easy to care for.

The Olympic Games are fast approaching.  They are starting August 8th and we are all anxious to see them, especially those of us the enjoy watching the equestrian sports.

The equestrian sports aren't televised too often and, therefore, we all like to take every opportunity to see our fellow equestrians perform in their disciplines.

I wanted to provide you with the television schedule as was recently released by NBC.  Please note, the coverage periods INCLUDE equestrian, but are not limited to it.  So it is unknown how much time will be specifically devoted to equestrian.

Hope this helps you follow the equestrian games.

GO TEAM USA! 

Here is something that I thought you would enjoy:

Two women were walking through the woods when a frog called out to them and said: "Help me, ladies!  I am a real estate agent who, through an evil witch's curse, has been transformed into a frog.  If one of you will kiss me, I'll be returned to my former state!"

One woman took out her purse, grabbed the frog, and stuffed it inside her handbag.  The other woman, aghast, screamed, "Didn't you hear him?  If you kiss him, he'll turn into a real estate agent!"

The second woman replied, "Sure, but these days a talking frog is worth more than a real estate agent!"

The 60th annual Plainfield Farmer's Fair starts today, July 22, and runs through Saturday, July 26, at the Plainfield Farmer's Grove on Route 191, South of Bangor.

No, this fair does not have any rides or games.  It is a good old fashioned agricultural fair with exhibits and animals.  4H members will be exhibiting their project animals, such as pigs, chickens, cows and steers.

Other exhibits include needlework, arts and crafts, along with a variety of baking contests.  There is also a Farmin' Fun tent for children, a craft tent and bingo.  And, oh yes, my favorite, the good home cooked food.  Mmmmmmm, mmmmmmmmm. 

The Child Identification Program, sponsored by the Whitfield Masonic Lodge in Tatamy, will also be available.  It will offer videotaped interviews of the older children.

Each day brings a different program of events.  You will find tractor pulls, queen contest, barnyard olympics (that sounds interesting), pie eating contests, magician's, and much much more.  Every evening, there will be different entertainment.  Friday and Saturday evening for a small fee of $5,  you can see the demolition derby.

I have only attended one day each year.  Don't have the time to do the whole 5 days.  (Got to work for a living, you know.)

The exhibit building are open from 5PM - 10PM.  General admission to the fair is $2 and children under 12 get in for free.  No pets, backpacks or coolers are permitted.  Parking is free on the fairgrounds.  Where else can you get a 5 days of fun and food for such a great deal?

Come on out and enjoy a good old fashioned Farmer's Fair!

You are in the market of purchasing your first home.  After looking at several different homes, you finally come across one that you fall in love with.

Of course every home has some sort of physical defect.  Some more costly than others.  What are some of the hidden defects to watch out for?

Here is a list to help you:

1. Water leaks.  Look for stains on ceilings and near the baseboards, especially in basements or attics.  Beware of freshly painted ceilings to hide the stains.
   
   
2. Shifting foundations.  Look for large cracks along the home's foundation.
   
   
3. Drainage.  Look for standing water, either around the foundation of the home or in the yard.
   
   
4. Termites.  Look for weakened or grooved wood, especially near ground level.
   
   
5. Worn roofs.  Look for broken or missing copings and buckled shingles as well as water spots on ceilings.  If a roof looks like it is sagging, there may be a problem.
   
   
6. Inadequate wiring.  Look for antiquated fuse boxes, extension cords (indicating insufficient outlets), and outlets without a place to plug in the grounding prong.
   
   
7. Plumbing problems.  Very low water pressure, banging in pipes.

    8.   Odors.  Could mean a major repair.

These are just some of the obvious signs of problems.  A professional home inspection is still strongly suggested to thoroughly go over every inch of the home and property.  This will give you an idea if there will be major expenses to repair the home.

Hey, all you antique gas engine and tractor buffs.  This show is for you.

It is happening on Friday, July 18th through Sunday, July 20th at Jacktown.  (Jacktown is located a few miles from Bangor, PA.)  There are many things to do and see.

First of all, there are many antique gas engines and tractors on display for everyone to see.  And these all are demonstrated throughout the weekend.

There is also entertainment (different bands playing), tractor pulls, tractor parade, and many other contests.  Even the kids have thier little contests, such as toy tractor pulls.

Of course, plenty of food is offered.  You can purchase homemade jams, fresh roasted peanuts, caramelized nuts, funnel cake, etc.  Mmmmmmmmm.  I can just smell and taste them now.

You will also find a HUGE flea market on the grounds.  You can practically find anything old there.

As you can see, the Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show offers something for everybody.  I have gone there for many years and I still enjoy going.

Hope to see you there!