The Chiodo Brothers, back for The Mahoning Drive-In Theater’s Chiodo-Con, lead the entertainment highlights hitting local and regional entertainment over the next two weeks.

The special effects wizards, whose works includes cult classics such as “Critters” and “Killer Klowns From Outer Space,” will attend the two-day event.

The first three “Critters” films will screen in 35 mm, as will “Killer Klown” and other titles.

Among other entertainment, Mauch Chunk Opera House will host concerts by, among others, Jeffrey Gaines and the Jamie McLean Band. Country Junction, meanwhile, will hold Pet Palooza and its first Pickle Fest.

MAUCH CHUNK OPERA HOUSE

14 W. Broadway, Jim Thorpe

570-325-0249, mcohjt.com

• Dead Letter Office, 8 p.m. Friday. The R.E.M. tribute band takes its name from R.E.M.’s same-titled 1987 album.

• Jeffrey Gaines, 8 p.m. Saturday. Born in Harrisburg, the singer-songwriter/guitarist released his self-titled debut album in 1992.

• Jamie McLean Band, 8 p.m. Aug. 8. The group — whose music incorporates New Orleans soul, middle Americana roots and Delta blues — released its debut studio album “Completely” in 2010. Other albums include 2018’s “One and Only” and 2022’s “Paradise Found.” The band released its latest studio set, “One Step Forward,” in late 2024.

• The ELO Tribute Show, 8 p.m. Aug. 9. Philadelphia-area musicians perform hits by Electric Light Orchestra and Jeff Lynne-produced artists.

PENN’S PEAK

325 Maury Road, Jim Thorpe

866-605-7325, pennspeak.com

• Deck Parties, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nightwind, classic rock; Saturday, Becky & the Beasts, R&B and classic rock; Aug. 7, Friends of Rodger, 1960s-present pop/rock/alternative hits; Aug. 8, James Supra Band, originals and blues-influenced rock covers; Aug. 9, Shellshocked Churchills, 1970s-present rock covers; and Aug. 14, TimeWhys, 1960s and 1970s classics.

TAMAQUA COMMUNITY

ARTS CENTER

125 Pine St., Tamaqua

570-668-1192, tamaquaarts.org

• Gallery Opening Reception: Gary Nothstein Photography Exhibit, 2 p.m. Aug. 9. Nothstein, who passed away in August 2020, was a 2001 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School. He earned a bachelor of arts in communications, with a concentration in film and video, from Penn State University; and a master of science degree in nutrition and food science from Montclair State University in New Jersey. During his graduate studies, he led a research project and coauthored a paper published in Perspectives in Public Health. Nothstein’s interests included outer space, astrophysics and photography.

THE MAHONING DRIVE-IN

635 Seneca Road, Lehighton

484-613-1314, mahoningdit.com

• Walt’s Animation Vault, 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The theater will screen two Disney animated classics, 1991’s “Beauty and the Beast” and 1994’s “The Lion King,” in 35 mm. The event also includes themed eats, raffles and a DJ.

• “The Silence of the Lambs,” 6 p.m. Sunday. The theater and Buffalo Bill’s House present a 35 mm screening of Jonathan Demme’s 1991 film “The Silence of the Lambs.” Buffalo Bill’s House in Perryopolis, shooting location of the serial killer’s home in the film, will display props from the film and add décor to the lot. Showtime at sundown.

• Chiodo-Con Returns, 5 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9. Brothers Stephen, Charles and Edward Chiodo — who since the 1980s have brought stop-motion, puppetry and practical special effects magic to big and small screens — will attend this event. The theater will screen t the first three “Critters” movies, plus 1988’s “Killer Klowns From Outer Space,” 1991’s “Ernest Scared Stupid” and a secret third film. Showtime at sundown.

• “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”/Retro Market, 5 p.m. Aug. 10. The theater will screen the 1975 film, in which King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table try to find and retrieve the Holy Grail. A preshow outdoor market will feature retro and handmade items. Showtime at sundown.

COUNTRY JUNCTION

6565 Interchange Road, Lehighton

610-377-5050, countryjunction.com

• Pet Palooza, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event includes a vaccine clinic, a Puppy Pageant, a reptile exhibit by Cristina’s Reptile and Animal Sanctuary, face painting and vendors.

• Pickle Fest, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 9. Country Junction’s first Pickle Fest includes vendors, food trucks and entertainment. Activities include pickle juice chugging, pickle and hot-pickle eating contests, the “Big Dill” karaoke competition and a chance to ride the “Big Pickle.” Pickle Fest will also include food and beverage items featuring pickles.

STEELSTACKS

101 Founders Drive, Bethlehem

610-332-1300, steelstacks.org

• Musikfest Headliners, Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza, SteelStacks Campus, South Side. Performers include: The Avett Brothers, 7 p.m. Aug. 2; Darius Rucker, 7 p.m. Aug. 3; The Black Crowes, 7 p.m. Aug. 4; Chicago, 7:15 p.m. Aug. 5; Nelly, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6; Gilberto Santa Rosa, 7 p.m. Aug. 7; Third Eye Blind, 7 p.m. Aug. 8; Jordan Davis, 7 p.m. Aug. 9; and The Black Keys, 7 p.m. Aug. 10.

• Splintered Sunlight, 8 p.m. Aug. 14, Musikfest Cafe. The act pays tribute to the Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia Band. Splintered Sunlight, also set to perform songs from its first original album, will return to the Musikfest Cafe on Aug. 21 and 28.

SHERMAN THEATER

524 Main St., Stroudsburg

570-420-2808, shermantheater.com

• Sleepy Hallow and Sheff G, 8 p.m. Friday. Born in Brooklyn, New York, the rappers — collaborators on “Tip Toe,” among other tracks — specialize in Brooklyn drill, a subgenre of rap music. Sleepy Hallow’s hit singles include “Deep End Freestyle” and “2055” and “Anxiety.”

• Toast, 7 p.m. Aug. 11. The act pays tribute to soft-rock band Bread, which scored 1970s hit singles such as “Make it With You,” “If” and “Baby I’m-a Want You.”

SHAWNEE PLAYHOUSE

552 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware

570-421-5093, shawneeplayhouse.org

• “Nunsense,” through Aug. 14. The musical comedy made its off-Broadway debut in 1985. In the show, most of the sisterhood dies from botulism after eating vichyssoise that Sister Julia Child of God prepared. The remaining nuns then stage a talent show to raise the money to bury their dearly departed.

• Sensory Friendly Show: “Mean Girls JR.,” 9:30 a.m. Aug. 8. The modified show, offering more accessibility for people with sensory sensitivities, may include people with autism, learning disabilities or other cognitive challenges. In “Mean Girls,” a homeschooled teenager falls prey to the manipulative “Plastics” clique. Based on the 2004 film, the musical features a book by Tina Fey, lyrics by Neil Benjamin and music by Jeff Richmond.