The Fourth of July has passed, and there are no fireworks to get you through this week. But for many it will be a short week, so you're already ahead.
Arts and culture fans can look forward to a weekend of Pennsylvania Dutch. If folk life crafts, entertainment and food interest you, then this weekend's 61st Annual Kutztown Folk Festival is sure to please.
The plan: One of the best parts about this festival? It's going on now, so you could start Thursday, or even Wednesday if you wanted. The festival highlights folk art and collectibles, as well as a quilt barn featuring more than 1,400 locally made quilts for sale, 24 of which will be named the best in show and auctioned off to collectors.
The festival includes demonstrations in pottery-making and woodcarving, among other crafts, and traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. If you didn't get your fill of funnel cake at Ocean City last weekend, there will be more at the festival, along with hot waffles and shoofly pie.
The details: The Kutztown Folk Festival, 225 N. White Oak St., Kutztown, Pa., runs July 3-11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens over age 55. Children 12 and under are free. A one-week pass is $20. For more information, go to http://www.kutztownfestival.com or call 888-674-6136.