Out and About in Lebanon: Finish the fair, catch an outdoor concert this weekend

Yes, it's hot, and we're all pretty much wilting during the day. But when the sun goes down and the stars come out, then it's time to play. Plenty of cool events are out there waiting for you!

7 P.M. TONIGHT >> The Lebanon Area Fair continues until Saturday, with tonight's featured band "The Luv Gods." These guys know rock and roll and you're sure to enjoy their sound. They'll be playing on the main stage until 10:30 p.m.

You still have a few days left to get to the fair, and the main exhibition hall opens at 9 a.m. Amusement rides for the children open at 5 p.m. tonight and Friday night, and the Hoof and Horns 4-H Club has pony rides tonight and Friday for a fee - and that's something all kids love!

Admission to the fair is free 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., after 4 p.m., a $5 fee is charged to guests age 10 and up. For more information, call (717) 273-3795 or go to: www.LebanonAreaFair.com.

10 A.M. FRIDAY >> You may not be thinking snow and reindeer yet, but tickets are now on sale for "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical." This popular show with its bevy of holly-jolly characters will be coming to the Hershey Theatre at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Wednesday, Dec. 9 this year. This musical is based on the longest running and highest rated television special ever! Tickets range from $25 to $60 and are available at the Hershey Theatre Box Office. They can be charged by phone at (717) 534-3405 and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or TicketMaster.com.

7 P.M. FRIDAY >> The Bethany Children's Home Summer Concert Series will present singer Caroline Reese this evening. The entertainment will be featured on the Home Anniversary Stage, and the home is located at 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf. Admission is free, a free-will offering will be taken. Seating is on the lawn, so bring a lawn chair or blanket. Concessions are available. For more information, go to: www.bethanyhome.org.

7 P.M. FRIDAY >> Popular Elvis impersonator Andy Svcrek will appear on the Main Stage at the Lebanon Area Fair. He'll sing all of your favorite Elvis tunes until 10:30 p.m.

7 P.M. FRIDAY >> The Calvary Chapel Worship Team will be providing the music at Legends Cafe tonight. Legends is located at 9 South Ninth Street. There is no cover charge this evening and the band will play until 9 p.m.

9 A.M. SATURDAY, AUG. 1 >> Bring the kids to Yogey's Putt-N-Cream for fun that's actually a fundraiser. For a $10 entry fee, kids are invited to play a round of golf and will receive an ice cream treat, a goodie bag, and a trophy, with all proceeds going to the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center (SARCC). From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., cartoon character Dora the Explorer will make an appearance to visit the kids and take photos. All participants must be registered by 10:30 a.m. Families can register their children by calling (717) 270-6972, ext. 350.

10 A.M. SATURDAY >> For a truly unique and uplifting experience, come to the Seventh Annual Spiritual Holistic Faire, to be held in the Leesport Farmers' Market Banquet Hall. The fair is open to the public Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hall is located eight miles north of Reading on Route 61, one block east. Admission is $6, or $5 if you donate cat or dog food or cat litter.

The faire will explain and offer alternative healing methods, aura photography, angel art, music and readings, flower essences, reiki, reflexology, energy jewelry, prayers and healing, and so much more. Free lectures on holistic topics will also be available. For more information, contact Kimberlee at (484) 363-7356 or: KimberleeDawn88@gmail.com.

10 A.M. SATURDAY >> Harrisburg-based guitarist and vocalist Steve Jewett will be giving a live concert on the outdoor stage at Marty's Music Store, 1245 East Main Street, Annville. The concert will last until noon. It is free and open to the public, with seating provided. Jewett is an instructor at Marty's Music School and at the Pollack Center. Come out and hear what great guitar sounds like. For more information, go to: www.jewettband.com.

7 P.M. SATURDAY >> The 50s band, "Flamin Dick and the Hot Rods" will bring down the house on fair week, with their performance lasting until 10:30 p.m. The popular annual demolition derby will also take place that evening, beginning at the track at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the track is $10. The demo derby will be followed by fireworks.

7 P.M. SATURDAY >> Come hear "The Freedom Band" at Legends Cafe, 9 South Ninth St. This band is sure to get the place rockin.' For more information, call (717) 273-7700.

8 P.M. SATURDAY >> A St. Jude fundraiser will be held at The Lantern Lodge Convention Center, 200 Garden Ave., Myerstown, featuring "The Dream Kings." They'll be singing early rock and Elvis favorites until 11 p.m. Light snacks are available. For tickets, call Darlene at (717) 628-1620.

NOON, SUNDAY >> "Living History Sunday" will be presented at the Conrad Weiser Homestead Park, Womelsdorf, from noon until 4 p.m. The day includes 18th century re-enactors, and local Native American Darius Puff. This is a free event, and guided tours will be given hourly from noon until 3 p.m.

6 P.M. SUNDAY >> A homegrown talent will kick off the summertime "Music in the Park" at the Newmanstown Memorial Park when Barry Wenrich takes the stage. The park is located along Memorial Boulevard. Food and drinks will be available for sale beginning at 5 p.m. Bring lawn chairs. In case of rain, the concert will move to Living Stones Church on East Main Street. No admission is charged, a free- will offering will be taken.

7 P.M. SUNDAY >> Remember the good old days when a concert in the park was a weekend highlight for families? It can still happen with "Music in the Park's Summer Concert Series." The New Holland Band, formed in 1865, will be providing the evening's entertainment at the Veterans' Memorial Amphitheater at Coleman's Park, 1400 W. Maple St. This large, traditional band plays various styles of music. There's no admission fee; a free-will offering will be taken.

7:30 P.M. SUNDAY >> The Mt. Gretna Playhouse will present "Music at Gretna," with tonight's entertainment the Festival Chamber Orchestra featuring Lise de la Salle on piano. Tickets are $15 to $35; for special pricing call (717) 361-1508. For more information go to: GretnaMusic.org.

5 P.M. MONDAY, AUG. 3 >> Tickets are on sale for "The Hit Men: Former Stars of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons." They'll be at the Hershey Theatre on Saturday, Aug. 29, with the show beginning at 8 p.m. These guys take you on an amazing trip back through rock and roll history, and will be singing some of your favorite songs. For tickets, call 1-800-628-1403.

10 A.M. FRIDAY, AUG. 7 >> Ever wonder who's living under that rock? Your kids have! The Governor Dick Environmental Center is inviting children ages 7 to 12 to come out for some outdoor adventures that involve "rock flipping." The Center is located on Pinch Road in Mt. Gretna. Cost is $5 per child. You must pre-register by calling (717) 964-3808 or go to:governordick@hotmail.com.

5 P.M. FRIDAY AUG. 7 >> Philadelphia artist Mary DeWitt will show her exhibition entitled "Release!" at the Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts as part of the First Friday Art Walk, at 734 Willow Street. The exhibition will be hosted by the Female Offenders Re-Entry Program of Lebanon County (F.O.R.E.).

7 P.M. FRIDAY, AUG. 7 >> The band "Cloud Party" will be performing for the Bethany Children's Home Summer Concert Series. No admission is charged, a free will offering will be taken. Seating is on the lawn, so bring a lawn chair or blanket.

7:30 P.M., FRIDAY, AUG. 7 >> Comedian Mark Russell will be the featured performer in the Mt. Gretna Playhouse. For more information, go to: GretnaMusic.org or call (717) 361-1508.

4 P.M. SATURDAY, AUG. 8 >> Come and enjoy the huge Community Block Party sponsored by the Bridge of Hope Church in Womelsdorf. The block party will take place at LJ's Fitness, 102 North Third Street. Music will be provided by the Jesse Baker Band. Moonwalks and "bouncy houses" will be available for the kids, and there will be plenty of food. For more information, go to:www.ThebridgeofHopeChurch.com.

8 A.M. SUNDAY, AUG. 9 >> The fact that they're getting you out of bed on an early Sunday morning to go for a fast-paced hike should alert you to the fact that this "walk" is for serious hikers. This is a fitness hike of 4 to 6 miles, sponsored by the Governor Dick Environmental Center on Pinch Road in Mt. Gretna. Meet there to begin. Pre-register by calling (717) 964-3808 or go to: governordick@hotmail.com.

6 P.M. SUNDAY, AUG. 9 >> Debi Wahl will be the featured performer, singing a variety of genres when "Music in the Park" comes to the Newmanstown Memorial Park. No admission fee, a free-will offering will be taken. Bring a lawn chair.

7 P.M. SUNDAY, AUG. 9 >> At Coleman's Park, the summer concert series for "Music in the Park" continues with "Triumphant Quartet," a group that shows you Southern Gospel music at its best. Spend a summer evening listening to this Grammy-nominated group.

8 A.M. FRIDAY, AUG. 14 >> Start saving your quarters now! This is the first day of the fabulous three-day book sale at the Lebanon Community Library, at 125 N. Seventh St. On Friday and Saturday, the hours of the sale are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Monday, August 17, the hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bargain prices go from 50 cents to $3. For more information, visit: www.lclibs.org/lebanon or call (717) 273-7624.

5 P.M. THURSDAY, AUG. 13, FRIDAY, AUG. 14, AND SATURDAY, AUG. 15 >> For three consecutive days, you'll be able to treat yourself to the Schaefferstown Firemen's' Carnival. The fun begins at 5 p.m. and lasts each evening until 10 p.m. Admission is free. Entertainment Thursday is "New Found Grass," on Friday, it's Lindsey Erin, and on Saturday, "Mitch and the Moodswings." Friday also has "cow patty bingo," and Saturday offers the annual car cruise. There are plenty of games, door prizes and great food. For more information, go to: www.stowncarnival.com.

2 P.M. FRIDAY, AUG. 21, SAT., 22, AND SUNDAY, 23 >> The Civil War is coming to Lebanon County in the form of a three-day encampment and reenactment at the Union Canal Tunnel Park, at Union Canal Drive in West Lebanon Township, behind the Lebanon Valley Mall. Spectator battles will take place Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Living history demonstrations will take place both days. For a unique experience, visit the camp after dark, with the "Candlelight Walk." The walk begins at 7:30 p.m., with last entry at 8:45 p.m. Candles will be provided for a donation or you may bring your own flashlight.

Admission for the public is simply a donation of a non-perishable food item, or $2 per car. Food concessions and restaurants are nearby. The event is sponsored by the Lebanon County Historical Society, the 93rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the Infantry of the 13th Mississippi C.S.A.

3 P.M. SUNDAY, AUG. 23 >> Virtuoso pianist William Hume of Carlisle will present a concert in St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Sixth and Chestnut streets. Tickets at the door are $10 for adults, $5 for students, with proceeds benefiting the Harmonia Student Scholarship Fund. Hume is a concert soloist and chamber musician who has appeared at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and on National Public radio. The piano recital is sponsored by the Harmonia Music Association of Lebanon.