Lehigh Valley InSite

25 years in Lehigh Valley - then vs. now

Last night the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated 25 years in the tourism business, so I thought I would do a little compare and contrast of tourism events and attractions. Here's Lehigh Valley 1984 vs. Lehigh Valley 2009.

* Pro baseballin Lehigh Valley was in the middle of a very long drought in 1984. The last major league affiliated team, the Allentown Red Sox, left town in 1960 (interesting fact: the Allentown Red Sox played at Max Hess Stadium, which is where the Lehigh Valley Mall is now located). Now we have the hugely successful AAA Philadelphia Phillies associated Lehigh Valley IronPigs, which arrived in 2008, and play in Allentown's beautiful Coca Cola Park. (Check out some of the past Lehigh Valley InSite blog posts on the IronPigs here.) 

* Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. 1984 was a big year for Dorney Park. They were recovering from a fire that destroyed many buildings and rides the year before but also celebrating their 100th anniversary! Obviously, 25 years later Dorney celebrated another anniversary, their 125th, and is now a top notch amusement and water park. (Check out some of the past Lehigh Valley InSite blog posts on Dorney Park here.)

* Golf. Lehigh Valley used to be a tough place to get a tee time 25 years ago with only 7 public courses:
* Willow Brook Golf Course (9 holes at the time)
* Twin Lakes now Iron Lakes Country Club
* Green Pond Country Club
* Allentown Municipal Golf Course
* Bethlehem Golf Club
* Locust Valley Golf Club
* Wedgewood Golf Course.
25 years later, I'm happy to say we are a hacker’s paradise. Since 1987, Lehigh Valley has doubled in public golf courses. 
* 1986 Indian Creek Golf Course
* 1992 Center Valley Club
* 1993 Southmoore Golf Course
* 1993 Whitetail Golf Club
* 1995 Olde Homestead Golf Club
* 2004 The Club at Morgan Hill
* 2006 Riverview Country Club.

I think I'm going to continue this comparison next week. Not sure on who or what yet, but I will dig up some goodies though so stay tuned.

In the meantime, what changes have you noticed in Lehigh Valley over the past 25 years? 

Coca-Cola Park: baseball and so much more!

I have to be honest, I'm not really a big fan of baseball. So why did I buy an 18-game mini plan ticket package at Coca-Cola Park? To be part of the experience that is Lehigh Valley IronPigs baseball, of course. Let me explain.

I try to arrive at least half an hour early for each game to get settled in. After dropping off my large red #1 foam finger and logoed seat cushion at my seat, I'm off to find food.

This season I been starting off with a smoked turkey leg and a cold beer, usually a Fegley's Amber Lager or Pig Pen Pilsner. Next, it's time for an ear of Aw Shucks roasted corn with all the toppings.

When the 7th inning stretch rolls around, I'm off to the ice cream stand for a Turkey Hill hot fudge sundae and a Coke. If it's a longer game, there might also be room for roasted peanuts, cotton candy or hot pretzels. Basically, I eat my way through the game!

In between all of this munching I enjoy watching the action on the field, but that doesn't necessarily mean the game. I watch the antics of mascots Ferrous and FeFe (pictured above), enjoy the play-along games on the JumboTron, clap and shout out group cheers when instructed, and get up and shake my thing to the music.

The Dancing Dirt Dudes are my all-time favorite at the games. These guys are such bad dancers that they're great! They come out to groom the field and half way through break into a choreographed number that drives the fans wild. Here's a short video I shot of the Dudes dancing to "Thriller" last year: http://twurl.nl/ieu14p

So I never really know what the score is or who won until everyone gets up to leave and I invariably ask "Is the game over?" Yes, I've missed the game, but who cares - this is how I have fun.

How do you enjoy an IronPigs baseball game?

A night with the good ol' Lehigh Valley IronPigs

Last week, my boyfriend Kent, our friend Curtis and I went to opening day at Coca-Cola Park to watch the Lehigh Valley IronPigs play the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Yankees (another resolution checked off my list!).

After getting some cold brews and a $3.50 bottle of Coke for me, the guys parked themselves along the right field railing and I went in search of food.

I had to wait in four different lines to get all the food we wanted from the recently expanded menu, but the waits weren't too long. Besides, I got to watch the game on the TVs placed throughout the concourse while I waited.

The culinary highlights of the evening were the Nacho Porker and the Aw Shucks corn. 

Curtis insists the Nacho Porker (pictured, half-eaten) is the best food known to man, with its tortilla chips, nacho cheese and heaping pile of pork. The guys ended up eating, not one, but two of these bad boys!

I, on the other hand, found heaven in the roasted-buttered-seasoned Aw Shucks cob of corn. However, for $3.50, they needn't be so shy with the seasoning next time.

Other notables from my night in the sold-out stadium include:

• 2 broken bats flying through the infield
• 3 little kids dressed up in piglet costumes racing around the outfield
• a home run hit by the Yankees - the only one of the game

Based on my experience, going to an IronPigs game means different things to different people (and the beauty of Coca-Cola Park is it accommodates everyone).

• For families: A night of good, clean fun.
• For teenagers: A night of socializing without the 'rents.
• For professionals: A night of schmoozing and seeing old friends. 
• For 30-somethings: A night of drinking and heckling the poor right fielder.
• For baseball fans: A night of watching their favorite sport.

Why do you, or would you, go to see the IronPigs play?

Things to do in Lehigh Valley: Top 5 for 2009

This is the final post in my 2009 New Year's resolution series, which revolves around experiencing more in Lehigh Valley. Previous installments include the Top 5 Plays for 2009 and the Top 5 Restaurants for 2009.

I've lived in this area for 28 years now (I just celebrated my birthday on Friday), and I'm amazed how many things there are to do in Lehigh Valley that I didn't know about. So my final resolution for 2009 is to experience five new things to do in Lehigh Valley.

1. Watch college football in 3D - On January 8, Rave Motion Pictures is broadcasting the FedEx BCS National Championship Game live in 3D! I'll be just like being at the game, but for a fraction of the cost.  

2. Make a glass flower - I'm not an artist, but the "Make Your Own" glass classes at the Banana Factory sound so easy, I thought it'd be worth a shot. It's only $30, and I'll get something pretty for my office.

3. Go to a AAA baseball game - I've been to Coca-Cola Park three times in 2008, but I've never seen the Lehigh Valley IronPigs play. With 72 home games scheduled for 2009, this is going to be the year I see them play.

4. Take a factory tour - I don't know how to play the guitar, but with a big name like Martin Guitar Co. in my backyard, how could I not go and see how they're made. Plus, tours are free!

5. Climb a wall - I enjoy climbing. I don't get to do it often because the place we go is so far away. But this year I discovered North Summit Climbing Gym, which is much closer to home. On belay!

So those are my resolutions for 2009. And since I put them out for all of you to see, I have to keep them. Stay tuned to Lehigh Valley InSite throughout the year as I share my experiences for each resolution.

Now, who's got the Korbel?

Lehigh Valley IronPigs do it again!

Kudos once more to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs: They have been chosen to host the 2010 Triple-A All Star Game! The announcement made last week marks the first time that a first-year team has been named to host the event. The game will be played on July 14, 2010 at Coca-Cola Park. It will be the culmination of three days of celebration for Triple-A Baseball with events including an All-Star Fan Fest and a Home Run Derby. The game will be televised nationally, which means the eyes of the minor league baseball world will be on Lehigh Valley, PA in 2010. 

I had the pleasure of being part of the announcement and unveiling of the All-Star Game logo and a digital countdown clock that will be running until the first pitch of the game.

We look forward to more thrills at Coca-Cola Park. Congratulations to the IronPigs and owners, Craig Stein and Joe Finley, President Chuck Domino and General Manager Kurt Landes. We look forward to hosting baseball's stars of the future. Go IronPigs!

Two Awards for the IronPigs

Our congratulations go out to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for two awards from Ballpark Digest.

The first was Coca-Cola Park being named co-winner of the "Best New Ballpark".

The second award was for "Organization of the Year," which went to Joe Finley and Craig Stein, owners of the IronPigs. For those of you who have been touched by their marketing campaign or experienced a game at Coca-Cola Park, these guys get it. They make it all about the experience - as it should be. 

Congratulations to Lehigh County, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs leadership team (especially Chuck Domino and Kurt Landes), and to Joe Finley and Craig Stein who put it all together.

The Grand Phinale

It's over. I can get back to a normal sleep pattern. I'm so excited, as is the majority of the east coast who have daytime jobs! Yes, I'm talking about the World Series.

The highlight for me was having two tickets to the World Series Premiere Party, hosted by Nacci Printing, at Coca-Cola Park last Wednesday. Even with temps in the 30s, my son and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to watch the first game of the series on the big screen in center field.

Coca-Cola Park is a "diamond" in the rough and was just awarded co-winner of "Best New Ballpark" of the year by Ballpark Digest. It is home to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, so it couldn't have been more appropriate to have the party there since they are the AAA affiliates of the Philadelphia Phillies. If you didn't have tix to the real game at Citizens Bank Park in Philly, this was the next best thing.

I always thought that Philly sports phans were crazy, and they proved me right: The event was like being at a big frat party. Even though my fiance turned my son and I into Red Sox fans, we still had a blast between all the free food, giveaways, FeRROUS sightings and of course the "people watching" classic moments.

What was your favorite part of the W.S.? Are you glad it's over or are you ready for another season? I know we can't wait to see the IronPigs play again next year, because it's just one S-U-E-T place to be!