Coplay Sports Inc. announced it is holding its 22nd annual fund drive.

Proceeds will benefit youth programs and projects under way or planned for the Sixth Street ball fields and field house. These include baseball, softball, basketball and cheerleading.

In its appeal, the organization reports projects for 2013 and 2014 are:

· Continue direction and sponsorship of annual borough Christmas parade.

· Continue to add dirt to the infields to help with drainage.

· Maintain and make repairs to the exterior of the field house.

· Continue replacing worn equipment and uniforms as needed.

· Continue to develop a dugout installation plan for the upper field.

Depending on the amount of donations, contributors can be listed as part of the Presidents Club, Honorary Director or Friends of Coplay Sports.

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Communities are often defined by the events and people who shape them. In Coplay, many annual events attract townspeople and those from outside the borough.

The Coplay American Legion's Memorial Day tribute to veterans has been a consistent staple in the borough. The Halloween parade sponsored by the Coplay Recreation & Welfare Association is another long-standing event, held since the 1950s.

Other events include the St. Peter's summer family homecoming picnic, Coplay Lions Club Super Bowl Breakfast, Coplay American Legion baseball at Sammy Balliet Stadium, Coplay Saengerbund's Stiftungfest, the Thanksgiving service done jointly by the borough's three churches, Coplay Community Days and Coplay Sports' baseball tournament.

The Independence Day community fireworks is a fairly recent addition, held the evening before the Fourth of July. The event allows for a spectacular show.

Mother nature offered up its own fireworks display before Coplay's this year, with booming thunder and a splash of rain.

Fortunately, the skies cleared so the large crowd of spectators could enjoy the show.

The crowd, estimated to be around 1,000, filled the grounds at the Coplay Parkway, fire station, American Club of Coplay and many yards across town. The banks of the Lehigh River at Canal Park in Northampton were also filled.

The fireworks began shortly after 10 p.m. by LTNT. During the evening, brightly lit stands featured funnel cakes, hot dogs, cold treats and soda.

The fireworks, which dazzled the huge crowd and brilliantly lit up the night sky, provided a stunning finale, marked by a standing ovation.

This year's display event was flawless, with borough police moving traffic along quickly at the conclusion of the evening.