BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Ay, chihuahua, there's plenty to do this weekend in the Valley.
Head to Bethlehem for the second annual Taco Fest and tiny dog contest or shop for eats from food trucks at the Lehigh Valley Mall.
- Check out these grub-themed happenings taking place in Allentown and Bethlehem this weekend
- The Taco Fest at ArtsQuest's SteelStacks will feature a tequila tasting, a Margarita contest and chihuahua beauty pageant
- Take a break from shopping and grab a bite at the Lehigh Valley Mall Food Truck Festival
Best in show
Some of the Valley's smallest pups will compete in a chihuahua beauty contest at the Taco Fest 1-7 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, at SteelStacks.
The four-legged contestants will compete in categories such as "goodest doggo," "most huggable" and "cutest tail wiggle" starting at 2 p.m.
Registration costs $9. Dogs must be 25 pounds or under.
Holy, guacamole: Taco-lovers can also purchase a vareity of fish, meat, chicken and vegan-filled tacos from Don Juan Mex Grill, Geakers Tacos, Lu Taqueria, Take a Taco, Taco Town and Uno Taqueria.
Food vendors Cubano Xpress, Fiesta Churros, the Flying V, Grumpy’s BBQ Roadhouse, Grubnight Food Truck, Holy Infancy Church, Kona Ice of Allentown, Mon & Mels Sweet Scoops, Oomie ZoOmiez, Taste Smokers and the Angry Chourico BBQ, will also be serving goodies.
Tickets to the fest are $10.
There are also exclusive happenings for the over 21-crowd including a Patron tequila tasting and Margarita Madness, where attendees can vote for best cocktail featuring Cazadores Tequila.
Entrance to each event costs $59 ($49 for ArtsQuest members) and includes admission to the Taco Fest.
To purchase, click here.
Mall eats
Skip the food court.
Instead, grab a bit at the Lehigh Valley Mall Food Truck Festival, which pulls up to the Whitehall Township shopping center from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 8.
The event will feature quick bites from K'Town Pub, Momma's Belly Buster, Sweet Treats Funnel Cake Bar, Greek Street, LenWood BBQ, Curbside Grill, Popcorn Pit, Atomic Hogs and Kresha Kreations.
Can't make it? The Lehigh Valley Mall will host the free event every Saturday through Sept. 30.
For info, click here.
Nota bene!
The Lehigh Valley Italian American Band's summer concert series will take place at Allentown's West Park at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 9.
The band, which was founded in 1984 and traces its origins back to the Italian neighborhoods of Roseto and Easton, has performed a local festivals such as the Roseto Big Time and in Catholic church processions at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Easton’s West Ward.
The ensemble consists of 25 local musicians, many of whom are full-time performers or local music instructors.
Expect to hear a medley of cover hits by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, along with other marching band tunes.
To learn more, visit their Facebook page.
