Alburtis Borough's three-day centennial celebration began 6:30 p.m. May 10 at Borough Hall on Franklin Street.

Following opening remarks by chairman of the centennial committee Scott Stoneback, U.S. Congressman Charlie Dent, R-15th, read the history of Alburtis from a congratulatory plaque beginning with Alburtis being incorporated May 9, 1913. At the time, 700 citizens lived within its one square mile; since then the population has grown to 2,300 people.

Other dignitaries attending were State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, and State Senator Pat Browne, R-16th, who presented congratulatory citations; Lehigh County Commissioner Percy Dougherty presenting a resolution, Ed Knittel of the Pa. State Association of Boroughs; and Lehigh County Representative Virginia Savage presenting a proclamation signed by Lehigh County Executive William H. Hansell. U.S. Senators Pat Toomey and Robert Casey also submitted proclamations but were unable to attend.

Judge Douglas Reichley also attended the event.

"As a judge I can give orders. I can order all the residents of Alburtis to have a great weekend. But I can't order the weather," Reichley said.

Borough Councilpersons present were President Steven Hill, Vice President John Aleszczyk, Second Vice President Kathleen Raines and Councilpersons Sherryann Oels, David Lehr, Cathy Moyer and Margaret McCormack who presented certificates of recognition to four borough employees. Officer Jay Ruff, with 39 years of service; Russell Kressley, with 24 years of service; Officer Ray Bulger, with 24 years of service and Donnie Derr, with 17 years of service were recognized.

The last speaker was Mayor Kathleen Palmer who addressed the crowd.

"On behalf of the Borough of Alburtis, we're honored to be sharing this very special moment with you." Palmer reminisced through the past years mentioning good and bad times like World War I, a time of sacrificing and the Great Depression and World War II.

"So I say, let's cherish and honor Alburtis and love and respect one another. After all, the future is ours starting right now."

In closing Palmer said, "I proclaim June 13, Robert F. Mader Day. That was his birthday."

The proclamations, plaque, citations, books and other paper items will be scanned onto gold disks and put into the time capsule, according to Stoneback. Other donated items were put in the capsule May 12.

Palmer cut two cakes commemorating the event enjoyed by everyone in attendance.

Food was available at Alburtis Fire Company on Main Street where music was provided by Dana Gaynor Blues & Classic Rock.

On May 11, the Alburtis centennial celebration opened with a Lions's Club all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage breakfast at Zion's Lehigh Church on Spring Creek Road, followed by a festive parade including the Rajah Shrine Concert Band, the Old Time Plow Boys, the Allentown Hobo Band, Alburtis Fire Company and several other fire companies with floats and cars with borough representatives, Alburtis Centennial Queen and May Queen Kaetlyn Calissi and more.

Alburtis Lockridge Historical Society held an open house with a showing of Stoneback's 2013 Oral History, both at Lockridge Church on Franklin Street.

For those who like walking, Kevin Shoemaker, president of the Historical Society narrated a historic guided walking tour which was conducted hourly.

Boy Scout Troop 86 helped with the Alburtis geo-caching course at Lock Ridge Park and assisted with "clue sheets."

The Camp Fire Girls welcomed visitors to the event.

At Lock Ridge Park, two events attracted a lot of attention.

To raise funds to help cover expenses for the centennial, Alburtis Community Center held a frog float in Swabia Creek selling 500 frogs to float down the creek to the finish line at a bridge. Frogs were painted and numbered by Oels. Boy Scouts were stationed along the creek to make sure frogs had a smooth trip along the banks.

Winner of the grand prize of $200 was Addison Trexler with Media People coming in second to win $100. Three $50 prizes went to John Aleszczyk placing third; Norm Adams, placing fourth and Milissa Frederic placing fifth. Five, $25 prizes were awarded and 10, $10 prizes were awarded. The Lame Frog prize went to Barry Snyder who won $50 for finishing last.

Following the frog float, Caroline's Closet "Fashions through the Ages" took place in the Cast House at Lock Ridge Park presented by Faith Andrews.

Some of the clothes worn by the models were clothes Andrews' grandmother Caroline Butz, had made. Other outfits, some with stories, had been given to Andrews for her collection. There were flapper outfits, prairie dresses, fur coats and hats; geometric zebra prints, gowns, a wedding dress and more. Most of the outfits had matching shoes, hats and purses and some even had parasols.

Events for the day ended with a concert by the Macungie Band in the Recreation Center Hall.

Church of the Good Shepherd held a worship service at Lock Ridge Park to begin the last day of the centennial May 12. The Historic Society was available for additional walking tours narrated by Shoemaker.

Various businesses held open houses throughout the weekend.

The May Day Festival began with crafters selling their wares, face painting, caricatures, food and refreshments.

The Lockridge Theatre Group continued their annual tradition of their medieval May Day performance celebrating the arrival of spring. Ron DeIaco crowned Emmaus High School senior Kaitlyn Calissa May Queen. Five previous May queens also performed. Chuck Kalan, who created the role of king and has played the part for 27 years, was the Centennial King. Some characters and costumes were new and the colors were vibrant and flowed in the breeze. Some costumes had wings and many were embellished with flowers. Two performers twirled fire, one twirled a fire ring, others entertained with acrobatics, juggling, dancing, some with flags, some with bows and swords. The music was soft and sweet sounding, fitting to the medieval period.

Andrews thanked everyone for coming to the centennial performance, the 30th Alburtis May Festival.

"A show like this is very important to the community," Andrews said in her closing statements and then led everyone in singing "America the Beautiful." The May Day Festival ended with the singing of "Alburtis" by Charles and Lillian Christman, which was written and dedicated to Alburtis for the bicentennial, 50 years ago.

At 6 p.m. May 12, a much smaller group gathered for the Centennial closing to see what would be sealed in the time capsule and donate additional items. Some of the items were displayed on a table set up in front of Borough Hall. It will take a couple of weeks to transfer everything to the gold DVD, put a special coating on some items and seal them in special bags for preservation, Stoneback said.

Overall, the committee and the residents of Alburtis Borough were pleased with the success of the centennial celebration and the crowds who gathered to participate in the festivities.