MEET THE BUYERS EXPO: The Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development, Lehigh University Small Business Development Center, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, Manufacturers Resource Center, Northampton Community College, EBC Printing, ViaMedia, and The Neffs National Bank are partnering on the sixth bi-annual Lehigh Valley Meet the Buyers Expo Wednesday, April 3, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Lehigh University Iacocca Conference Center, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem.

The expo is a dynamic business event that bridges sellers and buyers, fostering invaluable connections and collaboration. Through networking sessions and one-on-one meetings, this event platform brings together a diverse array of sellers, ranging from small to large businesses, with over 25 business organizations registered as buyers to seek innovative products, services, and partnerships.

To register, visit www.lvmeetthebuyers.com.

PEOPLE’S BALL: Join ArtsQuest as we kick off our spring exhibition with the Second Annual People’s Ball on Saturday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the Crayola Gallery, located on the first floor of the Banana Factory. This fun and festive event is a party that celebrates art, style and our community, while inviting guests to strut their stuff for this fun and festive event.

The exhibition for this year’s People’s Ball is Refash, curated by Bethlehem-based fashion designer, Barbara Kavchok. The exhibition will feature wearable works of art that celebrate sustainability and showcase fashion, accessories and jewelry created from used, thrown-out, found and repurposed elements.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the runway show begins at 8:45 p.m. This is an 18+ event. Cathy’s Catering will provide appetizers and the bar will be open to provide beer, wine and soda. Tickets available on the ArtsQuest website.

TACOFEST RETURNS: ArtsQuest announces the return of TacoFest, in partnership with ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages and Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection, taking place on Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 1 to 7 p.m., at the ArtsQuest campus at SteelStacks.

Get your Premium Access tickets now at steelstacks.org for $15 (price increases to $20 starting May 28). Premium Access tickets allow early access to the event starting at noon (which means more tacos) and a 6-ounce bottle of TacoFest-branded Habanero hot sauce. It’s a day filled with tacos from throughout the Lehigh Valley, music, game shows, Margarita Madness, the Chihuahua Beauty Contest, fantastic food and drinks from a ton of vendors including ArtsQuest’s partner, Levy Restaurants at Mack Truck, Central Tap and Palette & Pour.

For more information, visit the ArtsQuest website.

FREEDOM FUND BANQUET: The NAACP Bethlehem is hosting the 79th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet Sunday, April 7, at 2 pm at Green Pond Country Club, 3604 Farmersville Rd. The 2024 theme is “Legacy of Resilience: Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future.” The keynote speaker is Sen. Sharif Street, 3rd Senatorial District of Philadelphia. 2024 honorees are: Pastor Bob Rapp, executive director of Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering and Wayne Whitaker, a ssistant principal, Bethlehem Area School District. Reservations can also be made at: bethnaacp.org; by email to emlanelee@gmail.com, or call 610.866.2078.

CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE: Leon Reed presents Fort Sumter’s Long Shadow: Mr. Lincoln Calls for an Army, and the States Respond. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Delta Hotels by Marriot (former Holiday Inn), 7335 Adrienne Dr., Breinigsville, 18031. Information: Call 610-391-1000 or visit www.cwrteasternpa.org/calendar-1

Special program: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 27: Field Trip the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library

The GAR moved and is now housed in the historic Lewis- Pattison House, 8110 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, 19136. Meet at the Delta Hotel (back parking lot) at 9:30 a.m. One floor private special tour by Walt Lafty, Civil War speaker, followed by Q&A time. Suggested cost; give more if you wish. Optional lunch. Special thanks to Ed Root for arranging this tour. Email clkuk@ptd.net for questions or reservations.

BAPL BOOK SALES: Indoor book sale in Main Library basement. 50 shoppers at a time max. Cash and credit cards accepted. Wednesday, March 20: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m.. to 4 p.m. Visit www.bapl.org/book-sales/

Wednesday, March 20

Great Decisions Lecture Series: “Science Across Borders” by Dr. Arup K. SenGupta, Lehigh University, PC Rossin Professor, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kirkland Village Retirement Community, 1 Kirkland Village Circle. Sessions are subject to change without prior notice. Information: call 610-866-2655.

Thursday, March 21

Bethlehem Garden Club. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Soup, bread and dessert at noon. Four club members will present the program “Table Settings for all Occasions” after lunch, followed y a business meeting. All welcome. Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem.

Lehigh Valley Pops Orchestra, 9 a.m. Conductor Ron DeGrandis. 9 to 10:30 a.m. Pop Music Jam Session, 1 p.m. Led by Stephen Cee. Bring your instruments and your voice. Free to members. 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit https://lvactivelife.org/

Current Events Informal Discussion Group: Moderator: David M. Bell. World, national, state and local topics. Free. 2 p.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown, 18102. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit https://lvactivelife.org/

Friday, March 22

Elm Street Jazz Workshop rehearsals, 9 a.m. Director: Allan Meyerson. 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Free to members. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 for or visit https://lvactivelife.org/

Life Sharing Discussion Group. 1 to 3 p.m. Begins with a question chosen by the group and ends with even more questions. Free to members. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit https://lvactivelife.org/

Saturday, March 23

Stitching the Steel: Mildred Johnstone‘s bold needlepoint scenes of the local steelmaking industry. A Japanese Tea Ceremony student / practitioner and a fibre artist, she was the wife of Bethlehem Steel vice-presidnt V.P. William H. Johnstone. 1 p.m. National Museum of Industrial History, 602 E. Second St. Visit www.nmih.org/event/johnstone/

Open House: Artifacts and documents, including textbooks, maps, and photographs, of the one-room schoolhouse, 1930 -1958. Free admission, light refreshments. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lutz-Franklin Schoolhouse. 4216 Countryside Lane, Hellertown, 18055

Saturday Night dance: “Johnny K” 7 to 10 p.m. Cost per person includes light refreshments. Singles and couples welcome. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W Elm St. Allentown. Call 610-437-3700.

Wednesday, March 27

Great Decisions Lecture Series:: “Mideast Realignment” by Dr. Brian Mello, Muhlenberg College, Professor and Political Science Department Chair, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kirkland Village Retirement Community, 1 Kirkland Village Circle. Cost. Sessions are subject to change without prior notice. Information: call 610-866-2655.

Wednesday dance: “Johnny K.” 1 to 3 p.m. Cost per person includes light refreshments. Singles and couples welcome. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W Elm St. Allentown. Call 610-437-3700.