On July 4th, current and former residents of the Old Edgeboro section of Bethlehem did what they have been doing for the past 43 years: they gathered on Sycamore Street for the annual Independence Day celebration.

Neighbors line the block with tables and chairs. Overhead are two large American flags suspended over the ends of the block by Marty Plyler.

This year, as always, the event began with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Readers were Vivien Appel and Nick Englesson. As always, the audience enthusiastically applauded lines expressing defiance of England by the colonists.

Harking back to a very different but equally troubling time in the history of the nation was a reading of the Gettysburg Address, by Frank Devine.

The solemnity of the readings was broken by an activity beloved by young and old alike: the annual balloon toss, in which virtually everyone participates.

A pot luck dinner, to which all attendees contribute, featured ribs, hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by Marty Plyler and Frank Devine.

It was also a time to catch up on neighborhood news and the comings and goings of former residents.