One hell of an experience...
The 4th of July weekend was completely crazy in the Lehigh Valley. Usually, on any weekend, a city or town takes center stage. For 5 days, every city and town had it. The celebration actually started on June 28 with the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs.
Every year, when the Ironpigs have home games around the 4th; they have a special surprise for everyone. Starting on Friday night, they set off fireworks after every game until July 3rd. That was an introduction and warm up for events starting July 3rd. You could attend everything from fireworks to music and history events in 5 days. It was almost impossible to stop at every event. Here is a sample and what I attended.
Starting on Wednesday evening, July 3rd, Coplay's fireworks were my first stop. On the 4th? The George Taylor Home in Catasaqua had a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10 a.m. (didn't make that one). Zion Church / Liberty Bell Shrine did a ringing of a Liberty Bell replica and ceremony at 2 p.m. SteelStacks in Bethlehem had a Vietnam Memorial and ceremony followed by live music outside Artsquest (caught James Supra Blues Band). I could not miss Allentown's first annual street festival. Fireworks? I decided to catch Allentown's. They were hard to miss with Bethlehem, Dorney Park and other locations having them also.
Friday's events included First Friday on Bethlehem's south side. The Sarah Ayers Band / Bank Street Band were at Easton's Riverside Park with live music to name a few. Saturday was no slower. SteelStacks had live music outdoors including: Dina Hall, Craig Thatcher Band and Sofa Kings. Alternative Gallery had their monthly Outdoor Flea Market. Sunday's main event? Easton's Heritage Day with fireworks over the Delaware River.
This is only a small sample of what was going on that weekend. People had picnics and family outings all over the Lehigh Valley.
With the exception of Wednesday and Sunday evening, mother nature was very kind. She gave us a typical 4th of July summer weekend: hot and humid.
It did not matter to anyone. They found ways to stay cool and still have a great time and party!
Every year, when the Ironpigs have home games around the 4th; they have a special surprise for everyone. Starting on Friday night, they set off fireworks after every game until July 3rd. That was an introduction and warm up for events starting July 3rd. You could attend everything from fireworks to music and history events in 5 days. It was almost impossible to stop at every event. Here is a sample and what I attended.
Starting on Wednesday evening, July 3rd, Coplay's fireworks were my first stop. On the 4th? The George Taylor Home in Catasaqua had a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10 a.m. (didn't make that one). Zion Church / Liberty Bell Shrine did a ringing of a Liberty Bell replica and ceremony at 2 p.m. SteelStacks in Bethlehem had a Vietnam Memorial and ceremony followed by live music outside Artsquest (caught James Supra Blues Band). I could not miss Allentown's first annual street festival. Fireworks? I decided to catch Allentown's. They were hard to miss with Bethlehem, Dorney Park and other locations having them also.
Friday's events included First Friday on Bethlehem's south side. The Sarah Ayers Band / Bank Street Band were at Easton's Riverside Park with live music to name a few. Saturday was no slower. SteelStacks had live music outdoors including: Dina Hall, Craig Thatcher Band and Sofa Kings. Alternative Gallery had their monthly Outdoor Flea Market. Sunday's main event? Easton's Heritage Day with fireworks over the Delaware River.
This is only a small sample of what was going on that weekend. People had picnics and family outings all over the Lehigh Valley.
With the exception of Wednesday and Sunday evening, mother nature was very kind. She gave us a typical 4th of July summer weekend: hot and humid.
It did not matter to anyone. They found ways to stay cool and still have a great time and party!
