Hello Weekend, Hello Northampton! 🌟
It’s Friday, September 12th, and your weekend adventure
starts here. From local events to hidden gems, we’ve got
your family covered.
Mark & The Local Rundown Northampton Crew
In This Issue
🌙 Parent’s Night Out – Easton YMCA
🍁 DIY Fall Fun at Home – Seasonal Projects for Kids
🩺 Flu & Cold Season: A Parent’s Quick Prep Guide
"Raising kids is part joy and part guerrilla warfare." — Ed Asner
🌙 Parent’s Night Out – Easton YMCA
Every parent deserves a breather, and the Easton YMCA is giving you one. On Friday, September 12, 2025, from 5:30 to 9:00 PM, the Y is hosting its Parent’s Night Out—a win-win for parents and kids.
Here’s the deal: you drop the kids off for an evening packed with games, crafts, pizza, snacks, and a movie, and you head out for a few precious hours to yourself. Whether you want a date night in downtown Easton, a quiet Target run (no one begging for toys!), or just a chance to sip coffee in peace, this program has you covered.
Kids get to hang with friends and enjoy supervised fun, and you get the rare joy of handing bedtime duty to someone else for a night.
Parent tips:
Register early—spots tend to fill up quickly.
Pack a water bottle labeled with your child’s name.
Think ahead about your evening—make a dinner reservation, line up a movie, or just plan to do nothing (guilt-free!).
🍁 DIY Fall Fun at Home – Seasonal Projects for Kids
If you’re not heading out, September evenings are perfect for cozy DIY family projects. With the leaves just starting to turn and pumpkin spice creeping into everything, this is a great time to keep kids busy with fun seasonal activities.
Here are three simple projects to try at home:
Leaf Rubbing Art
Collect leaves from the yard or a nearby park.
Place them under a sheet of paper and let kids rub crayons or colored pencils across the top.
Instant art that doubles as a nature walk activity.
Apple Stamp Painting
Slice apples in half, dip them in paint, and press onto paper.
Try red, green, and gold paints for a festive fall palette.
Bonus: talk about how apples grow and why fall is harvest season.
Backyard Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things to find: acorn, red leaf, stick shaped like a “Y,” feather, pinecone.
Give each child a bag or basket to collect treasures.
End the hunt with hot chocolate or cider as a reward.
Parent tips:
Keep a “craft box” handy with basics: paper, glue, scissors, crayons, paint.
Snap photos of finished projects to share with grandparents (or to remember when your kitchen was covered in glitter).
Use these projects as screen-free downtime on busy school weeks.
🩺 Flu & Cold Season: A Parent’s Quick Prep Guide
Back-to-school season isn’t just about new backpacks and sharpened pencils—it also means classrooms full of sniffles, sneezes, and shared germs. As Northampton County families settle into the fall routine, now’s the time to get a jump on flu and cold season. A little prep can go a long way in keeping your household healthier (and saving you from those frantic late-night pharmacy runs).
Stock Your “Sick Day Kit”
It’s easier to manage sick days if you have supplies ready before anyone comes down with a fever. Keep these on hand:
Thermometers (check batteries!)
Children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen (age-appropriate dosages clearly labeled)
Tissues, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes
Comfort foods like broth, crackers, applesauce, and electrolyte drinks
Entertainment stash—puzzles, coloring books, or a movie list for low-energy days
Healthy Habits That Help
Sleep schedules matter—kids who get enough rest fight off viruses better.
Hand-washing refresher—singing the “ABC” song works for proper timing.
Outdoor time—even in cooler weather, fresh air boosts immunity and cuts down on indoor germ spread.
Local Resources
Flu shots are available at most local pharmacies (Rite Aid, CVS, Wegmans in Bethlehem Township) and through your pediatrician’s office.
Northampton County clinics often host low-cost or free vaccination days—watch county health announcements for dates.
Many schools send flyers home about in-school vaccination programs; keep an eye on backpacks.
Parent Tips
Label medicine cups/syringes so you’re not guessing in the middle of the night.
Teach older kids how to politely “elbow cough” or grab a tissue fast—small habits help everyone.
Don’t forget yourself—parents need flu shots too, especially with kids bringing germs home.
The Local Rundown
🕓 5:00–10:00 pm · Forks Community Park · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Opening night with rides, music, food, and festival fun.
🕓 6:00–8:00 pm · Easton Public Market · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Chill, family-friendly live music while you snack and stroll.
🕓 7:00 pm–12:00 am · Shankweiler’s Drive-In · FREE entry (vendors $) · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Vintage vibes: makers, music, and retro treats under the stars.
Sat, Sep 13
🕓 8:00–9:00 am · Easton Historic Cemetery (10th St gate) · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Easy, educational morning walk with local nature & history.
🕓 9:00 am–1:00 pm · Scott Park, Easton · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Celebrate culture with music, demos, and peak-season produce.
🕓 11:00 am–5:00 pm · Louise W. Moore Park · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Family-friendly workshops, kids’ crafts, vendors & community.
🕓 12:00–5:00 pm · Bushkill Park, Easton · Free admission; ride bands $20 · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Duck races, skating, rides, games & family activities.
🕓 2:00–3:15 pm · Departs Sigal Museum · $10 (members free) · 🧒🧑🎓 📍 Google Maps
Guided downtown stroll full of local stories.
🕓 6:30–10:00 pm (live 7–10) · HangDog Outdoor Adventure · Climb tickets req. · 🧒🧑🎓 📍 Google Maps
Ropes course adventure while fireworks light up the sky.
🕓 11:00 am–10:00 pm (fireworks ~9:30 pm) · Forks Community Park · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Big Saturday lineup of rides, music & the fireworks finale.
Sun, Sep 14
🕓 9:00 am–1:00 pm · Hellertown · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Tastings, chef demos & free salsa dance lessons.
🕓 11:00 am–2:00 pm · Easton Public Market · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Easy Sunday tunes while you graze the market.
🕓 11:00 am–4:00 pm (match 1:00 pm) · Braden Airpark, Easton · GA ~$35; kids 12 & under FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Tailgates, vendors and the Valley’s beloved benefit polo match.
🕓 11:00 am–7:00 pm · Forks Community Park · FREE · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Close the festival with daytime fun for the whole family.
Mon, Sep 15
🕓 10:00 am–4:00 pm · 30 Centre Square, Easton · Admission required · 🌟 All Ages 📍 Google Maps
Color-packed attractions for a hands-on creative day.
🕓 10:00–10:45 am · Main Library, Easton · FREE · 👶🧒 📍 Google Maps
Stories, songs & movement for early learners.
🕓 11:00–11:45 am · 400 Webster St, Bethlehem · FREE · 👶🧒 📍 Google Maps
Drop-in play with blocks, puzzles & toys.
🕓 10:00–10:30 am · 2960 Center Valley Pkwy, Center Valley · FREE · 👶🧒 📍 Google Maps
Short & sweet Monday read-aloud for littles.
🎉 Special Holiday Events
🕓 Afternoon–evening · HangDog Outdoor Adventure, Easton · Tickets · 🌟 All Ages
🕓 Evening · Sigal Museum · Tickets · 🧒🧑🎓
Appreciate you spending a few minutes with
The Local Rundown.
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See you soon,
Mark