Friday, April 22 is the official Earth Day, the theme of which is a “billion acts of green.” To celebrate Earth Day 2011, take the family to the Philly Zoo's Spring Fling to party with the animals, or for a more serious conservational experience, trek up to the Pocono Environmental Education Center for hands-on learning, animal exhibits and time in the great outdoors. If you don’t mind getting a bit dirty, help with the Historic Downtown Bethlehem cleanup or take in a free evening lecture about creating a backyard habitat at the Bethlehem Area Public Library.

If celebrating Easter is your bag, you'll want to take the kids to the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown for some “egg-cellent” activities involving eggs and Just Born candy. What Easter would be complete without candy, Peeps and eggs? If your kids still can't get enough eggs, take them to the Saucon Valley Jaycees' Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Dimmick Park where they can fill their baskets with as many eggs as they can carry.  

After a day full of kid-friendly activities, get your girlfriends together for some laugh-out-loud comedy at the State Theatre's Girls’ Night Out. Guys, grab your seats as the Steelhawks take on the Reading Express this weekend. Still haven’t gotten enough “we” time away from the kids? Try rockin’ out at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem this weekend, where you can hear Lance Lopez, a blues guitarist from Texas. Saturday night Runa will rock out Celtic-style at Godfreys.

With all this activity, you will be hopping and bopping all weekend long.

Best Picks for This Weekend:

• PHILLY ZOO – SPRING FLING (PHILADELPHIA ZOO)

Where/When: 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Thursday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Zoo hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Why Go: They're calling it the “Party for the Planet,” and who would want to miss that? This party isn’t just for people--it’s also for the animals who call the zoo their home. Local environmental organizations will share information about how to preserve our ecosystem, so animals will continue to have habitats. 

Pricing: Admission: $18 for adults, $15 for children, under 2 free (admission includes program).

• EGG-CELLENT ADVENTURES (DAVINCI CENTER)

Where/When: 3145 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why Go: All things eggs and science will be available for those who seek learning opportunities at every holiday. An "Egg Crash Dummy Challenge," baby chicks hatching and specially “eggtivities,” as well as complimentary Just Born treats, will make this a sweet Easter activity.  

Pricing: Admission, $11.95 for adults, $8.95 for seniors (ages 62+) and children (ages 4-12), free for 3 and under. Presented by Just Born, Inc.

• 16th ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION (POCONO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER)

Where/When: Mile 8 marker at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Dingmans Ferry, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Why Go: This is the mother of all Earth Day celebrations in Pennsylvania. With hands-on learning stations, animal exhibits, green building displays, crafts, food, music, vendors and more, it promises attendees a veritable smorgasbord of conservation information. 

Pricing: $5 per car.

• DOWNTOWN BETHLEHEM HISTORIC DISTRICT EARTH DAY CLEANUP (DOWNTOWN BETHLEHEM ASSOCIATION)

Where/When: Corner of Main and Broad streets, Bethlehem, Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., after-party in the Sun Inn courtyard, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Why Go: Help our little corner of the Earth become "greener" by cleaning up Historic Bethlehem. Pick up litter, clean storm drains and plant flowers. Listen to live music and join the community art project at the after-party at the Sun Inn. 

Pricing: FREE food, coffee and t-shirts (limited supply) to all volunteers.

• SAUCON VALLEY JAYCEES ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT (SAUCON VALLEY JAYCEES)

Where/When: Dimmick Park, Tobias Drive and Durham Street, Hellertown, Saturday 10:00 a.m.

Why Go: Peter Cottontail is hiding his eggs in Dimmick Park, but be there on time because the hunt for them starts at 10:00 a.m. sharp!   

Pricing: FREE, open to ages one to 12.

• CREATING A BACKYARD HABITAT (BETHLEHEM PUBLIC LIBRARY)

Where/When: 11 W. Church St., Bethlehem, Saturday 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Why Go: If you don’t quite have a green thumb but are interested in gardening and sustainable practices, Maura Sullivan will show you how to turn your backyard into an environmentally friendly habitat.

Pricing: Free. 

• GIRLS NIGHT OUT (STATE THEATRE)

Where/When: 453 Northampton St., Easton, Saturday 8:00 p.m.

Why Go: Five ladies out for a wild night of karaoke trying to sing away their heartbreak. Can you relate? This show is best enjoyed with a few of your girlfriends.

Pricing: Tickets, $45.50. Buy tickets online and use the password MUSICAL for $5 off.

• LEHIGH VALLEY STEELHAWKS VS. READING EXPRESS (LEHIGH VALLEY STEELHAWKS)

Where/When: Stabler Arena, 124 Goodman Drive, Bethlehem, Saturday 7:00 p.m.

Why Go: Catch the Lehigh Valley's hometown arena football team against the Reading Express.

Pricing: Tickets, $14.75 to $45.50. Call (610) 282-3100 to reserve tickets.

• LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY (GODFREY DANIELS)

Where/When: Godfrey Daniels, 7 East Fourth Street, Bethlehem, Friday, Lance Lopez, 8:00 p.m., Saturday, Runa, 8:00 p.m.

Why Go: Lopez grinds his Texas-bred blues on Friday while Runa adds some Celtic spirit to your Easter Eve festivities Saturday. 

Pricing: Tickets: Friday, $17.50, and Saturday, $16.50.