Skate demo from 2008 video link - this year was even better. Can't wait to see them on Homebase's website. For now, here's a picture from Julian Siezant; a young local photographer that shoots a lot of skaters and BMXers for Homebase and The Source - but he also does amazing "artsy" shots, too. If you're on Facebook - find "Homebase Skateshop" and view the glory of the day.

Spring on 4th Chili winner

The 2009 Judge's Choice winner is J.P. McGrady's. In this photo, from left to right; Dave Urban (Judge), Eric the chef, Steve Ott and Dale Kochard (also Judges). Eric tells us this is the house chili. So if you want to taste the winner, stop by McGradys for lunch or dinner.

Check out the fine traveling trophy made by Banana Factory glass artists, John Choi and Dennis Gardner. Yes, that's glass. And yes, you could drink out of it - like the Stanley Cup. But who would want to defile such a fine work of art? Not these guys! So this new traveling trophy edition will be around next year, too. Who will it go to then? Will it be you?

People's Choice - TULUM

Best Booth - Comfort & Joy "Rocket Fuel" theme. And in case there are children reading this, I won't publish their punch line.

Special notation here for Blue Sky - who made people sign a waiver before trying a non-contest chili. I didn't take the bite (literally)

All said and done, it was a great day in South Bethlehem. We invite you to share your thoughts, images and other ideas for this year and next on this blog. We look forward to checking in.

THIS SATURDAY - April 25

Entertainment from 11am 'til 4pm
Chili Contest - Noon to 2pm

Stroll the streets and enjoy Spring, Food, Entertainment and a
Celebration of Community in Bethlehem's SouthSide Shopping District!

3 Chili Tastes for $1 from 12-2pm. Tickets on sale from 11:30am-1:30pm and are available near 3rd & S. New Streets and also at 4th & S. New Streets. Judges’ Award for Best Chili and Best Booth. People’s Choice Award for Chili with most votes. Winners announced at 4:30pm by WDIY, 88.1 FM.

Skateboard and BMX Demo at S. New and 4th Sts. More info HERE.

Banana Factory Block Party at the Steelworkers Memorial at 2nd and Northampton Streets. More info HERE.

Five Alarm Arts Fair at Lehigh's Campus Square. Photography, Jewelry, Ceramics, Paintings and more! More info HERE.

Live Radio Disney Concert and Broadcast at the Cops-n-Kids Block Party at Looper's Grille & Bar. More info HERE.

Clowns, Bands and So Much More!

Find parking along the streets or at the Riverport Parking Garage.

Questions? Email info@bethlehempa.org.

The Community Artists of Bethlehem present "5 Alarm Arts Fair"- a celebration of community arts!

In a continued effort to celebrate the abundant local talent, The Community Artists of Bethlehem are excited to showcase more than 20 hot, upcoming local artists in "5 Alarm Arts Fair" located in and around Campus Square on Morton St. and New St, Bethlehems' South Side. The fair will coincide with " Spring on Fourth, What's on 3rd"festivities, starting at 11am and concluding at 4pm.

The merchants will vary from Photography, Jewelry, Ceramics, acrylic/oil painting, to items that are much more unconventional media. Included in the festivities are children's activities including face painting, coloring contests and hula hooping. Whether you enjoy a flair for the spicy or like to keep it cool, there is sure to be excitement to suit everyones taste! Please stop by the CAB table to find out more about an exciting monthly children's workshop.

We are thrilled to be involved again with this year's, "Spring on Fourth, What's on Third" event. This annual fest is a great opportunity to celebrate our community through commerce, arts and services. We are also excited to introduce a few new up and coming artists from in and around the area. See you all at the ticket booth! Please feel free to forward and/or print and distribute the attached poster!

For more information on the C.A.B. activities, contact: Loly Reynolds 484-554-0281 or Megan Everett 484-550-8995 Website: www.myspace/c.a.b.

Skateboard Demo w/ BMXer's back again at "Spring on 4th"

Homebase will be shutting down S. New St for a skateboard demo with the BMXer's from The Source and music from the Audio Dynamikz DJ's. Free for all to watch.

(exact location is S. New Street between Morton and 4th Street)

Pick up some info on the Bethlehem Skateplaza too.

Bethlehem Skateplaza Fundraising After Party at The Blue Sky Cafe. 22 W. 4th St; 4 doors down from Homebase. 7:30-9:30pm.

$10 DONATION to enterAll Ages. BYOB with ID

Live performances from Hank Tate & Phil Ballins, Divine Rhyme & Timecode.

Homebase will also be selling DVD copies of "Where the Heart is" for the 1st time. ($15)

*THE 1ST 10 PEOPLE IN THE DOOR WILL GET A FREE COPY OF THE NEW HOMEBASE SHOP DVD

For more info visit: www.Homebase610.com

"Homebase is where the heart is."

Spring on 4th Expands into a Block Party at the Banana Factory!

Please invite friends and family to join us for the 14th Annual celebration.

ArtsQuest’s Banana Factory will spring to life on April 25, as the arts center presents live music, art activities and more during SouthSide Bethlehem’s 14th annual "Spring on 4th, What’s on 3rd?" event.

Spring on 4th is a community celebration of music, food and fun. This year, stop by the Banana Factory to see more events and activities than ever before as ArtsQuest presents a block party that spills into neighboring Northampton Street.

At the Hot Tamales® Stage, sponsored by Just Born, patrons will be able to enjoy rock music by Post Junction. In addition, they may peruse an array of beautiful glass artwork available for sale at as part of the GlassWorks student art sale and studio blowout sale. A raffle, featuring works donated by Banana Factory artists, will also take place.

Kids are invited to explore wonderful flower and insect-themed arts and crafts during the Banana Kids’ Spring Fling. The event, which begins at noon, is for children up to age 12. Cost is free for ArtsQuest Banana Kid members and $5 for nonmembers.

Other Spring on 4th activities include demonstrations by Banana Factory artists, opportunities for guests to make their own glass art and silk scarves, and a chili tasting featuring Banana Factory Chili, as well as Hot Tamale Chili, prepared by the staff of Just Born.

Spring on 4th hours are noon-4 p.m. For more information on the Banana Factory Block Party, visit www.artsquest.org.

(Lehigh Valley, PA) The 14th Annual “Spring on Fourth! What’s on Third?” Street Festival and Chili Cook-off will be held on April 25th 2009 from 11:30

South Bethlehem’s galleries, shops and stores are once again joining together for an enjoyable afternoon of music, food and fun. This year’s festival will be an extra special celebration with awesome events planned by community leaders throughout South Bethlehem.

Founded 14 years ago to celebrate Bethlehem’s historic, revitalized Southside, “Spring on Fourth! What’s on Third?” is a free, public event that takes place along Third, Fourth and New streets. Highlighting the celebration are the popular chili contest, live entertainment by a variety of performers, fun family activities and more from 12:00 to 4:00. In addition, many of the South Side merchants feature sales and special discounts throughout the afternoon.

Featured “Spring on Fourth! What’s on Third?” events include The Jamani Drummers and Community Drum circle, a BMX biking and skateboarding demonstration sponsored by Homebase Skate Shop, the Community Artists of Bethlehem will be working on an art project and as always Clarence the Clown will be strolling through town.

This year’s “Spring on Fourth! What’s on Third?” chili contest, which takes place from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., features 30 entries ranging from spicy, five-alarm chili to vegetarian, chicken and black bean versions of the dish. Patrons are invited to sample the entries, with a block of three tickets – good for three samples – selling for $1 each. The winners of the chili contest will be announced on WDIY 88.1 FM at 4 p.m. Also join WDIY from 4 to 6 pm with a special celebration of community in the Wachovia Bank parking lot at 301 Broadway with a performance by the Doug Hawk Proposition, games and prizes provided by Allentown Toy Mfg. Co. and a special food drive to benefit New Bethany Ministries.

Community partner offerings include the Cops 'n' Kids block party featuring Radio Disney and LV Idol performances, the Bethlehem Public Library South Side Branch special book mobile appearance to encourage new registrations and The Banana Factory presents Arts Block Party with a Hot Tamale Stage and Arts projects.

Embassy Bank is the presenting sponsor and WDIY 88.1 FM, Lehigh Valley Community Public Radio and Pulse Weekly are the media sponsors. Other sponsors include Lehigh University, Orasure Technologies, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Saraceno Design, St. Luke’s Print Shop, U.S. Food Service, the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, Coalition for Appropriate Transportation, Bethlehem Parks and Recreation Department, Downtown Bethlehem Association, and the South Side Film Festival.

For more information on “Spring on Fourth! What’s on Third?” email deni.thurmaneyer@verizon.net