Slatington hosts annual Heritage Day Celebration

Steeped in tradition, a special Independence Day event will be hosted once again in Slatington.

The annual Heritage Day Celebration will take place at 10 a.m. July 4 at the Slatington Baptist Church, 509 Main St.

Alice Wanamaker, assistant vice president, Northern Region Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the celebration is a combined effort of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and community volunteers.

“It’s a community event that the chamber assists in organizing,” Wanamaker said. “It is by the community and for the community.”

Jason Breidinger, board member of the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, will preside as master of ceremonies.

The Heritage Day Community Band, under the direction of Brad Cressley, and the Northern Lehigh Freedom Chorus, under the direction of Anna Mary Milot, will provide music throughout the ceremony.

Allen O. Delke will attend to the Presentation of Colors, representing American Legion Post #16. The Rev. James LeVan, pastor of the Slatington Baptist Church, will offer the invocation and benediction.

The Slatington American Legion will also offer a POW remembrance ceremony.

Featured keynote speaker for the event will be Edward Hartman, retired United States Marine Corps and retired district justice.

Immediately following the Heritage Day program inside the church, guests are invited to the Slatington Memorial Park, across the street from the church, for a memorial service at the Slatington Veterans Memorial.

The main attraction is a granite monument listing all Northern Lehigh area servicemen who lost their lives in the line of duty, seven flagpoles for each of the branches of service, MIA-POW and American flags as well as engraved bricks listing the names of veterans.

Celebrated since July 4, 1976, Wanamaker noted the event is “a tradition that has been going on in Slatington for decades.”

“It’s important for the chamber to continue it, or someone to continue it, and we’re happy to be that someone,” she said. “It’s a great way to kick off the Fourth of July holiday.”

Wanamaker noted there are several different organizations who have come together to make the event possible.

“There’s a lot of community pride, a lot of national pride,” she said. “It’s just a wonderful community celebration.”