ALLENTOWN, PA – September 2026 – For nearly nine months during the American Revolution, one of the nation’s most enduring symbols of liberty was hidden beneath the floor of a church in what is now the heart of downtown Allentown. As British troops approached Philadelphia in September 1777, American authorities feared the city’s bells would be seized and melted down for ammunition. They secretly removed the bells and transported them north by wagon. Among them was the State House Bell, which would become known as the Liberty Bell.<\/p>\n
The bell arrived in Northampton Towne, today’s Allentown, and was concealed beneath the floorboards of Zion’s Reformed Church. It remained there until the British evacuated Philadelphia in June 1778, when it was safely returned. Nearly 250 years later, Allentown is bringing that remarkable story back into the streets.<\/p>\n
The inaugural Liberty Bell Festival will take place Saturday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown Allentown, offering a free day of history, live music, food, local makers, and community celebration. The festival will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at Allentown City Hall before a historic processional leads attendees through downtown to Zion’s Church, where historian and storyteller Joshua Fink will share the story of the Liberty Bell and its journey to Allentown.<\/p>\n
The connection can still be seen today. A replica Liberty Bell stands at\u00a0622 W. Hamilton Street<\/a>, at the site of the former Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, where the original bell was hidden during the Revolutionary War. 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, with communities throughout the country commemorating the nation’s semiquincentennial. For Allentown, the connection to that history continues into next year, when September 2027 will mark 250 years since the Liberty Bell arrived in the city.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is one of those stories that makes you look at your city differently,\u201d said Brittney Ciardi, SVP of Allentown Initiatives for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. \u201cThe Liberty Bell came into what is now downtown Allentown and was hidden here while the British occupied Philadelphia. That’s an incredible piece of American history, and it happened right here. We wanted to create a celebration that brings that story to life and gives people a reason to come downtown, experience it together, and see Allentown’s history in a new light.\u201d<\/p>\n The festival will open at 11 a.m. with a flag-raising and opening ceremony at Allentown City Hall, featuring Ciardi, Mayor Matt Tuerk, and the Brandywine Colonials. At 11:15 a.m., the Brandywine Colonials will lead a processional through downtown to Zion’s Church. At approximately 11:25 a.m., historian and storyteller Joshua Fink will share the story of the Liberty Bell and its journey to Allentown, allowing attendees to experience the history at the site where it unfolded.<\/p>\n \u201cDowntown Allentown is a great place for a party and full of hidden gems, including amazing food, shopping, and attractions. As we commemorated the 250th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we wanted to keep the celebration going with our unique contribution to the nation\u2019s founding: the protector of the Liberty Bell during a time of peril. I\u2019m looking forward to lots of folks joining us in Allentown to have a good time and discover the best of what our city offers the Lehigh Valley.\u201d, said Mayor Matt Tuerk of the City of Allentown.<\/p>\n Following the historical program, the festival will feature live entertainment throughout the afternoon, including The Swingtime Dolls at 11:45 a.m., Seth Witcher at 1:15 p.m., Antar Goodwin Band and The Faithful Sinners at 2:40 p.m., and The Weekenders at 4 p.m. The Weekenders were recently voted the Best Band in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n Food and refreshments will be available from Uno Taqueria, Milk Train, A Town Promotions, Hany Honey, Christmas City Spirits, Mishka Vodka, Food Disciples, Boris Cake, and The Sticky Pig.<\/p>\n The festival will also feature local artists, makers, businesses, nonprofits and community organizations, including Baum School of Art, Allentown Art Museum, Pop Art Americana 250, Chunky Loops Design, Hunter Heath, Lehigh County Authority, 4 Legged Naturals, 8th Ward Neighborhood Group, Room & Ward Vintage, Broken Axle Records, Comparion Insurance Agency, Red Flagg Apparel, River House, ESSA Bank, Salvaged Glow, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Assembly 88, Assembly 88 for Her, Lehigh County Historical Society, Knauss Homestead, Tanya’s Craft Handmade and others.<\/p>\n The bell would eventually become known as the Liberty Bell and grow into one of the world’s most recognizable symbols of freedom and independence. For a brief consequential period, Allentown was its hiding place. Today, the city is telling that story in the same downtown where it happened, while showcasing the artists, businesses, musicians, and organizations that are shaping Allentown today.<\/p>\n The Liberty Bell Festival is free and open to the public and will take place throughout Downtown Allentown on Saturday, September 19, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. As the country celebrates 250 years of American independence, Allentown is looking ahead to another historic milestone: 250 years since the Liberty Bell arrived here.<\/p>\n The Liberty Bell came to Allentown in secret. Nearly 250 years later, its story is coming back into the light.<\/p>\n Event Details<\/strong><\/p>\n Event: Liberty Bell Festival<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026<\/p>\n Time: 11:00 a.m. \u2013 5:00 p.m.<\/p>\n Location: Hamilton Street, Downtown Allentown (4th Street to 7th Street)<\/p>\n Sponsors: QNB Bank, Phoebe Ministries, Lehigh Valley 250 supported by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Buckno Lisicky & Company, Fulton Bank, and ESSA Bank, a Division of CNB Bank.<\/p>\n Sponsorship opportunities remain available by contacting Brittney Ciardi at\u00a0brittneyc@lehighvalleychamber.org<\/strong><\/a>. Vendor inquiries can be directed to Emily Brosky at\u00a0emilyb@lehighvalleychamber.org<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n About the Chamber: The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce\u2019s mission is to serve as the voice for business by continuously improving the economic climate and creating growth opportunities for the Greater Lehigh Valley region. We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs, exclusive, money-saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives, public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises.\u00a0With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000 individuals, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.<\/em><\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: ALLENTOWN, PA – September 2026 – For nearly nine months during the American Revolution, one of the nation’s most enduring symbols of liberty was hidden beneath the floor of a church in what is now the heart of downtown Allentown. As British troops approached Philadelphia in September 1777, American authorities feared the city’s bells would … Continue reading The Liberty Bell Was Hidden in Allentown, and Now a New Festival Will Tell Its Story<\/span>
\nBrittney Ciardi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"