BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance, but the last weekend in May is also considered by many to be the unofficial start to summer.
From bike races to festivals to air shows, there are no shortage of fun ways to celebrate the start of summer in the Lehigh Valley.
- Easton Twilight Criterium: 2:15 p.m. on May 27 at Easton. This downtown criterium, in its second year, transforms the city of Easton into a professional bike race course. Spectators can watch professional bikers whizz through the streets of Easton.
- IronPigs Memorial Day Celebration and Fireworks: 6:35 p.m. on May 28 at Coca-Cola Park. Festivities include post-game fireworks and a hat giveaway for the first 3,000 adults, with the purchase of ticket to the IronPigs-Buffalo Bison game.
- Live music at Folino Estate Winery: 1 - 4 p.m. on May 28, 340 Old U.S. 22, Kutztown. Attendees can check out a live musical performance by Keith Kreider.
- Mayfair at Cedar Crest College: May 26 - May 28 at 100 College Drive, Allentown. This arts festival is part of a tradition that goes back over 30 years. It will feature art, crafts, food, music and live performances.
- Memorial Day Whitewater Weekend: May 27 - 28 at 101 W. Adventure Trail Road, Nesquehoning. People can celebrate the unofficial beginning of summer with a whitewater dam release trip Memorial Day weekend with Whitewater Rafting Adventures in Jim Thorpe. $71.95 per person.
- Red, Wine & Blue Festival: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on May 27 at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in North Whitehall Township: Samples of wine, cider and more from premier wineries and distilleries across the Lehigh Valley. There will also be gourmet treats, live music and interactive exhibits about the animals. $14 for children ages 2-12, $22 for adult. ID required.
- The Great Pocono Raceway Airshow: 1 - 3:30 p.m. on May 27 - 28 at Pocono Raceway, 1234 Long Pond Road in Long Pond, Monroe County. Headlined by the Blue Angels, a U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, this event is $10 for kids 12 and under, $25 for adults.
- Wildwater Kingdom Opening Day: 11 a.m. on May 27 at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. Park goers can kick off the first day of summer with some wet water fun. There's a 317-gallon tipping bucket, a beach-themed play structure, as well as lazy rivers and an Aqua Racer.