Lehighton borough to host Heritage Weekend
Lehighton once again plans to celebrate the community during a three-day weekend next month.
Sponsored by the Lehighton Borough Parks & Recreation Board, the 2018 Lehighton Heritage Weekend will be held July 6-8.
Autumn Abelovsky, secretary of the Parks & Recreation Board, said the event will include food/beverage vendors, kids activities, craft vendors, direct sales, information booths in the town park, and the Lehighton Fire Department’s annual basket auction, which is located on the second floor of the borough municipal building.
“Over the past few years, the Parks & Recreation Board has reached out to the community to really see what the people want us to offer, and we strive to deliver,” Abelovsky said. “One of the most requested forms of music is polka. And this year, we will be bringing the Pennsylvania Villagers to the Amphitheater stage.”
Abelovsky said that each year its vendor population continues to grow.
“This year, we are expanding from just having food vendors, to now filling the parks with food, beverage, crafts, direct sales, information booths, games and fun activities for kids,” she said.
“The Parks & Recreation Board is so happy to partner with Lehighton Downtown Initiative and their Saturday Farmers Market, as well as the Lehighton Fire Department and their annual basket raffle.”
The fireworks display will be a real treat, Abelovsky said.
“The Lehighton fireworks have, in three short years, become a tradition in town,” she said. It seems that everyone has their special place to watch them from, and each year they seem to awe the spectators more and more. This year should be no exception, and we have Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank to thank for their generous monetary contribution to the display.”
The list of activities is:
Friday, July 6
• 7 p.m., Music in the Park, Pennsylvania Villagers. Polka is one of Pennsylvania’s favorite past times and the Pennsylvania Villagers are keeping the polka tradition alive, while expanding their repertoire to include other genres. Their ability to play such a wide variety of music for over 40 years have led them to become known as one of the top dance bands in the area, not with just polka fans, but with music lovers from country to oldies.
Saturday, July 7
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Miller Keystone Blood Mobile
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., LDI Farmers Market
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Antiques Appraisal Clinic. Have your items verbally appraised by antiques expert, Harry L. Rinker. Fee is $10 for one item, $15 for two items. (Limit two items per person) Guests are welcome to watch the event throughout the day at 110 N. Third St. in Pfc. Houser Building Annex. Call 610-730-0041 to purchase tickets. Spaces are limited.
• 7 p.m., Music in the Park, The Belle Tones. The Belle Tones are an All-American female trio that sings, dances, tells jokes, and honors our Veterans. These versatile entertainers are a hit wherever the group performs. Influenced by the great groups in music history, their repertoire includes popular music from the 1920s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s as well as countless patriotic tunes, Broadway classics, jazz and holiday music.
• 10 p.m., fireworks. From just about anywhere in town, view Lehighton’s Third Annual Fireworks Spectacular Show. There will be food/refreshments in the borough park.
Sunday, July 8
• 10 a.m., church in the park. Join several local churches for a multidenominational service. Located at the Lehighton Park Amphitheater, the morning will consist of worship, music, refreshments and fellowship. Everyone is welcome.
• 2 p.m., heritage weekend coaster race. Racing originated in Lehighton in the 1920s, and now the tradition continues for the youth of the town to feel the thrill of the ride. Cheer on your favorite racer and see the craftsmanship that goes into building a coaster car. The race takes place on North Second Street. To register for the race, contact Rocky at rcacla@ptd.net.
Anyone with questions regarding the 2018 Lehighton Heritage Weekend may contact the Lehighton Borough Parks & Recreation Board at events@lehightonborough.com, on Facebook at Lehighton Borough Events, 610-377-4002 Ext. 211 or www.lehightonborough.com.
