The Kingdom of Wonder, a big-top circus, received council permission to host performances at the borough’s Municipal Park Sept. 12-14. The circus shows will be held 6 p.m. Sept. 12 and 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Shows Sept. 14 are set for 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. The tent will hold about 250 people per show.

Council members noted the last circus in Northampton was perhaps a dozen years ago. It was reported the children really enjoyed the circus.

The Kingdom of Wonder circus, according to borough Manager Brain Welsko, received very good references from the last two municipalities it entertained.

Welsko said there are no animals in this circus.

Circuses began in 1825 when circus entrepreneur Joshuah Purdy Brown became the first to use a large canvas tent instead of a permanent building. As traveling circuses expanded, tent sizes grew to accommodate more rings for different acts. The large tent that housed numerous rings and stages became known as the big top.

Visit northamptonboro.com or call the borough office for ticket information.

In other business, borough Solicitor Stephanie Steward reviewed the single bid for the Northampton Fire Department training prop. The only bid was from Taylor’d Systems LLC for $121,250. Steward, after her review of the bid, reported everything was in order.

Council agreed to have the borough office advertise for bids from trash collectors. The deadline for bid submissions is Sept. 30, with bids to be opened Oct. 2. The new contract will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Council approved a request for an accessible parking space in the 1300 block of Stewart Street. Northampton Borough Police Chief Bryan Kadingo recommended approval of the request.

Council approved naming the band shell at the borough’s Municipal Park after Marty Fella for his longtime contributions to the borough. The request to honor Fella was suggested by the Northampton Exchange Club.

Fella died in February. He was an active volunteer in the borough, serving on the board of directors of the Northampton Exchange Club for many years. He was the grand marshal and a committee member of the Jack Frost Parade. Fella served on the board of the Northampton Chamber of Commerce.

Fella, an Eagle Scout, was active with the Boys Scouts of America. He was active with Boy Scout Troops 54 and 40 for many years.

The Northampton Exchange Club sponsors the annual Jack Frost Halloween Parade. Council approved the 2025 parade, which is the 76th iteration of the parade, to be held 7 p.m. Oct. 16. The rain date will be Oct. 23.

Mayor Anthony Pristash noted the borough’s popular Uptown Street Fair is set for Sept. 13.

He also reported the police are responding to reports of bicycles that are not following proper safety driving habits. Bicyclists risk a citation if they are not following bike safety law. Contact the police department for information about bike safety.

Steward said the unofficial skate park near the Hokendauqua Creek across from Municipal Park was taken down for safety reasons because it was in a state of disrepair and considered a hazard. In the future, the borough may consider creating a safer skate park.

Steward added the borough may develop a policy for naming parks, streets, buildings or other public places in the borough so there are procedures to follow when requests are received to honor a person.

The next Northampton Borough Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at the municipal building, 1401 Laubach Ave. It is a hybrid meeting, with both in-person and virtual options. Visit northamptonboro.com to review the meeting’s agenda and to access the meeting virtually.