Free, family-friendly festival showcases local history, features live music and ends with a brilliant fireworks display over the Delaware River

Easton, PA – June 28 2022 – Local history takes center stage as Easton Heritage Day returns to Easton, Pa.

The annual festival, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 10 in Centre Square, will celebrate the fact that Easton was chosen as one of only three original spots where the Declaration of Independence was first read aloud in 1776.

The free, family-friendly festival showcases local history and the heritage of many groups with reenactors, highlights traditional artisans, features musical performances on two stages and offers kids’ activities. More than a dozen vendors will offer traditional and international foods, beverages and sweets. The full-day festival culminates in a fireworks display (weather permitting) over the Delaware River at 9:30 p.m. Find the full schedule and more about this year’s festival at heritageday.org.

Highlights for this year’s festival include:

• Live music on the Heritage Stage and Star Spangled Stage. Check heritageday.org for this year’s schedule.

• A reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon on the Heritage Stage (Centre Square & N. Third St.).

• Kids’ activities, including: time-period activities from the Sigal Museum and the National Canal Museum in addition to games of skill

• Reenactments and presentations (through 6 p.m.) featuring blacksmithing, flax processing, quill writing, General Ulysses S. Grant (2 p.m.), the 3rd Regiment Infantry United States Colored Troops (2:15 p.m), a Lenape Nation drum circle (4:30 p.m.), as well as Irish dancers.

• Walking tours of historic spots in Easton, including:

  • The 1753 Bachmann Publick House, 1-6 p.m., Second and Northampton streets: a stone tavern that offered local dignitaries like John Adams and Ben Franklin a spot to meet and exchange news. This building also housed the first courtroom in the county.

  • The 1833 Mixsell-Illick House, 1-6 p.m., Fourth and Ferry streets: a Victorian residence was the headquarters of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society until the opening of the Sigal Museum in 2010

  • The Jacob Nichloas House, 1-6 p.m., 458 Ferry St,: one of the only buildings remaining in Easton from the Federal Period.

  • Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., learn more about Northampton County history in this museum. View pre-European settlement artifacts, textiles, colonial furniture and more!

  • First United Church of Christ, 1-4 p.m., 229 Church St.:Established in 1745 – even before the founding of Easton – this congregation was organized in the Forks of the Delaware region.

 

Sponsors for Heritage Day include the City of Easton, IBEW Local 102, Lehigh Valley Health Network, The Easton Home, Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society and Green Mountain Energy.

Getting there

Heritage Day will occur around Easton’s Centre Square despite the city’s ongoing construction project.

Easton is offering $10 flat rate parking in the Pine Street Garage and the Third Street Garage all day. Metered parking on the streets will be very limited given street closures for Heritage Day. Bicycling is also encouraged: Downtown Easton is only a 1/4-mile ride from the D&L Trail. Or take in some art along the 1.5-mile Karl Stirner Arts Trail from 13th Street into Downtown Easton. (Proper lighting is recommended if trails are used after sunset.)

ABOUT:GEDP is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization focused on Easton’s economic well-being, historical integrity, vibrant culture, and hospitality. It is comprised of Easton Farmers’ Market, Easton Main Street Initiative, Easton Public Market, PA Bacon Fest, Easton Heritage Day and the Easton Ambassadors. For more information, visit eastonpartnership.org.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstott
Drabenstott Communications Group

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