Easton, In The Valley, Press Release

Thousands to celebrate the Spirit of Independence at 2023 Easton Heritage Day on July 9


Free, family-friendly festival showcases local history,  features live music, hands-on activities, demonstrations  

EASTON, Pa – July 3, 2023 – Local history will take center stage as Easton Heritage Day (heritageday.org) returns to Easton, Pa., 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 9 in Centre Square.

The annual celebration commemorates the fact that Easton was chosen as one of only three original spots where the Declaration of Independence was first read aloud in July of 1776.

The free, family-friendly festival showcases local history and the heritage of many groups with reenactors, highlights traditional artisans and features musical performances on two stages. More than a dozen vendors will offer traditional and international foods, beverages, beer and wine, and sweets.

The full-day festival culminates in a fireworks display (weather permitting) from Hackett Park at sundown.

The schedule and details about this year’s festival are at heritageday.org. Heritage Day is produced by Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) in collaboration with the City of Easton.

Highlights include:  

  • A reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon by on the Heritage Stage (Centre Square & N. Third St.)
  • Live music throughout the day on the Heritage Stage and Star Spangled Stage including the Silas Powell Band (12:30 p.m.), SwingTime Dolls (12:45 p.m.), Bev Conklin and BC Blue (3 p.m.) and A Few Good Men (5:45 p.m.)
  • Kids’ activities, including: time-period activities from the Sigal Museum and the National Canal Museum in addition to games of skill, face painting and goat snuggling
  • Artisans featuring blacksmithing, flax processing, quill writing, limning and fiber arts
  • Reenactors and groups including the 3rd Regiment Infantry United States Colored Troops, 1st Pennsylvania Regiments, Fife and Drum, Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania, Colonial Revelers (historic harmonies), Ulysses S. Grant, Native Living History by Drew Shuptar Rayvis, and songs and stories of old canal days by Matt Dodd.

Tours showcasing Easton history, including: 

  • Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Easton with State Representative Bob Freeman. Meets at the Information Tent in Centre Square. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (Each tour lasts 60-90 minutes.)
  • 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, 1-4 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, 1-4 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!. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. $5 admission.
  • First United Church of Christ (11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.), Trinity Episcopal Church (noon- 4 p.m.) and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Sponsors for Heritage Day include the City of Easton, Fulton Bank, Lehigh Valley Health Network, City Entertainment Systems, Green Mountain Energy, Diageo Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society.

Getting there 

Easton is offering $10 flat rate parking in the Third Street Garage (behind City Hall) and the Fourth Street Garage (behind Easton Public Market) 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. More: eastonpartnership.org.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Drabenstott (for GEDP)
Drabenstott Communications Group