Outdoor activities for all ages begin with events this weekend

All sorts of levels of entertainment are on hand this week. You could go to Hersheypark and have tons of fun on some wild rides, or you could go on a relaxing "birds and flowers" walk in peaceful Mt. Gretna, you could take in the music scene at Legends Cafe, or you could pick up a good book at the Lebanon Library's annual book sale and spend the day reading. If you really try, you can probably squeeze all those fun times into your weekend!

9 A.M., SATURDAY >> There's nothing like a good book to chase both boredom and the blues away! Need some new books? At extremely low prices? Use part of your Saturday to check out the bargains at the annual book sale of the Lebanon Community Library. The library will be holding their book sale on the lawn of the library at 125 North Seventh Street. Sponsored by Friends of the Lebanon Library, the event will last until 3 p.m.

10 A.M. FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY >> If you're a kid from ages one to 100, this is what you've been waiting for all year! It's Hersheypark's opening weekend of the 2015 season! Hurrahhh! Rides! Entertainment! Fun! Games! More rides! Along with all those rides you love and remember, Hersheypark has a new coaster this year - the first of its kind in the whole country! It's "Laff Trakk," the first indoor spinning glow coaster. This family-friendly coaster will be open starting on Memorial Day weekend, May 23. "Laff Trakk" spins riders on an exciting adventure of sights and sounds and is billed as the fun house of the 21st century! You've got to come and try it out! Come to Hersheypark this weekend - then come try "Laff Trakk" during the Memorial Day weekend.

Also new this year are two entertainment shows: "Dance,Dance,Dance - Encore," will be playing in the Music Box Theater and "Rollin' Down the River," will be on stage in the Country Grill, near the Trailblazer.

On Friday and Sunday, the park will be open until 8 p.m. On Saturday, the park will be open until 10 p.m. Now all you need for a great weekend is some good weather!

9 A.M. SATURDAY >> "Springtime in Lebanon," the annual spring arts and crafts show will be offered in downtown Lebanon by the Community of Lebanon Association. Many of the items are juried works and you're sure to find something of interest and beauty to take home with you. The event lasts until 4 p.m. and will be held rain or shine. For more information, go to:www.lebanonpa.com.

10 A.M. SATURDAY >> Tickets are on sale for "The Illusionists - Live From Broadway" the world's best-selling touring magic show. "The Illusionists" will take the stage at Hershey theatre on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4. Tickets for this show are $29, $55, $65, and $75. They are available at Hershey Theatre Box Office. They can be charged by phone at (717) 534-3405 or (800) 745-3000 and online at www.HersheyEntertainment.com or www.TicketMaster.com.

Having shattered box office records around the world, "The Illusionists - Live From Broadway" is now touring the United States. This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the amazing talents of five of the most incredible illusionists anywhere. For more information, visit wwwTheIllusionistsLive.com

7 P.M. FRIDAY >> Hey, mon! Come to de islands and chill! Scott Fagen and the Mac Island Band, playing island calypso music, will be at Legends Cafe at 9 South Ninth Street, and they'll be serving up the island-jive until 9 p.m. For more information, call (717) 273-7700. Legends is open Thursday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

7 P.M. SATURDAY >> The Shuey's, a high-energy Christian band will be playing at Legends Cafe until 9 p.m. Come see what you've been missing; great music with a message. Call Legends at (717) 273-7700 for more information.

7 P.M. FRIDAY >> This is a must! Come along on a "Toad and Frog Foray" on the untamed "Governor Dick' lands in tree-filled Mt. Gretna. Meet at the Governor Dick Environmental Center on Pinch Road in Mt. Gretna. And, wear boots and bring a flashlight. Participants will carpool to a local pond. There isn't a kid in the whole world who wouldn't love doing this - come on, Mom or Dad - grab your flashlight - and pick up the phone, because you have to pre-register. The event is free! To register, call 964-3808 or go to: governordick@hotmail.com.

10 A.M. SATURDAY >> Frogs not your thing? Then you'll love the "Birds and Flowers Walk." You'll meet at the Governor Dick Environmental Center on Pinch Road in Mt. Gretna, then go at a leisurely pace to look for birds and flowers - how relaxing and lovely does that sound? Those environmentalists should know how to have fun. Bring binoculars and a field guide. Call 964-3808 to register.

1 P.M. SUNDAY >> "Music on the Porch," for those tired of walking. Bring a lawn chair to Governor Dick Environmental Center, then sit back and relax as you listen to soothing music in a leafy setting. This event lasts until 4 p.m. There is no charge, but you must pre-register by calling 964-3808.

6:30 P.M. TUESDAY, MAY 12 >> Elvis returns (kind of)! An "Elvis Tribute" will be presented by Elvis tribute artist Andy Svrcek at the Lebanon Expo Center, as the kick-off for the "50-plus Festival." The entertainment continues Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. with a performance "Voices of Legends"by Eric Kearns. The festival has free parking, free admission, free entertainment and even free health screenings.

10 A.M., WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 >> The "50-plus Festival," sponsored by the Good Samaritan Hospital, will be held at the Lebanon Expo Center. The Cedar Crest High School Show Choir will be performing at 10:30 a.m. The festival also features various health screenings and informative seminars. The kitchen is open until 7 p.m.

10 A.M. SUNDAY, MAY 17 >> The Seventh Annual Richland Legion Car and Bike Show will be held at 8 West New Street in Richland. Proceeds benefit the Keystone Wounded Warriors. Chicken barbecue and pulled pork will be provided by Hresko's for $8 each. Pick-up for the chicken or pork is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All cars and bikes are welcome: street rods, muscle cars, exotics, collector cars, trucks, and bikes. This event will be held rain or shine. Come on out, look around, have some delicious food and contribute to a worthy cause.

10 A.M., SATURDAY, JUNE 13 >> The Richland Legion Riders Post 880 will have a "Poker Run" at the Marion Rod and Gun Club in Stouchsburg to benefit the Keystone Wounded Warriors. Sign-in is from 10 a.m. to noon. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at sign-in. For tickets see a Post 880 Legion Rider or call Carl at (717) 821-2359 or Chris at (717) 304-1373. For more information, go to: inforichlandlegionriders.com.

10 A.M., SATURDAY, MAY 16, AND SUNDAY, MAY 17 >> Mix history and fun at the 26th annual Union Canal Days at the Union Canal Tunnel Park at 25th Street and Union Canal Drive. At 10:30 a.m. Saturday, you can watch the official re-launch of the newly refurbished canal boat "Lois Miley." With the refurbished boat ready to sail, folks can once again enjoy a leisurely ride through the canal tunnel with a guide narrating the history of the site. Union Canal is a national historic landmark, so come and be a part of history. You can enjoy a number of attractions at the Park, including craft vendors, medieval living history re-enactors with an archery exhibit, live music, classic cars display, sheep-to-shawl demonstration, and great food! Hot dogs, fries, funnel cakes, soup, ice cream, pork barbecue sandwiches and more.

From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., chicken barbecue dinners will be sold for $8 each. Advance tickets are available at the Lebanon County Historical Society's office or call (717) 272-6949.

On Sunday, Grammy-award winning musician Ray Owen will be entertaining.

Parking is $2 per car, narrated boat rides are $8 for adults, $4 for children (ages 6-18), children under 6 are free. No dogs are allowed in the park during Union Canal Days weekend.

7:30 P.M. SATURDAY, JUNE 20 >> Hot times! A World War II-era dance and big band music! The World War II Historical Association will be holding their second annual WWII Dinner Dance fundraiser at the historic Union Canal Tunnel Park, at 25th Street and Union Canal Drive. Music of the 1940s and 1950s will be provided by the "Big, Big Jazz Band" of Lancaster. Proceeds will benefit the WWII Historical Association and the Lebanon County Historical Society.

A barbecue dinner will be served from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. For the dance only, tickets are $20 and are available at the door. For the dinner and dance, tickets are $40 and are available at the Lebanon County Historical Society, 924 Cumberland Street. For more information, contact: office@LCHSociety.org or call (717) 272-1473.