The 119th anniversary of the incorporation of North Catasauqua Borough is June 11. North Catasauqua was incorporated June 11, 1907, when residents of West Allen Township petitioned the court of quarter sessions to create a new borough from lands adjacent to Catasauqua in Lehigh County.

The petition was filed in March 1907, and after a hearing, the decree of incorporation was granted June 11, with the official entry into records June 17. The first borough election was held July 16, 1907, and William H. Thomas became the first burgess (equivalent to a modern mayor).

By 1909, a police department and the Charotin Hose Fire Department were established. In 1911, a combined firehouse and municipal building was constructed, replacing earlier arrangements where firefighting equipment was stored in stables. Churches such as St. Lawrence (1857), St. Andrew’s (1903) and Holy Trinity (1903) served the community.

In 1913, the borough replaced an old four-room schoolhouse with a modern school, currently the borough hall, marking the beginning of the North Catasauqua School District. The community also developed North Catasauqua Park and recreational facilities, including the Willowbrook Golf Course.

Happy birthday, small Town USA!

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The 20th annual North Catasauqua small Town USA carnival will continue 6-10 p.m. through June 13 at North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park, 701 Grove St. There will be food, games, rides and live music each night. The carnival is presented by North Catasauqua Betterment Committee.

The musical entertainment includes Brake for Turtles June 10, Third Hand Band June 11, Waitin’ on Sundown June 12 and Ricky Smith and The Crush June 13.

Special-priced ride wristbands will be available Thursday and Saturday nights.

For more information and details, visit the carnival Facebook page — North Catasauqua small Town USA CARNIVAL.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, will host a farewell gathering for Father Tolentino in the parish center 5-7 p.m. June 12. There will be light refreshments and fellowship.

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Registration is open for North Catasauqua’s summer park program — Pop Up and Play — which will be run by the YMCA at the park. The program will take place 9:30 a.m.-noon Mondays-Fridays June 15-July 31 for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. There will be no sessions July 2 and 3 due to the holiday.

Contact the YMCA directly at cmesser@ymcarivercrossing.org.

Teen mentorship opportunities are available for Pop Up and Play as well. Opportunities are available for Catasauqua Area School District students entering grades 7-12. Interested teens should email cmesser@ymcarivercrossing.org.

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The summer programs for North Catasauqua and Catasauqua children start June 15. Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church will prepare and serve lunches at both North Catasauqua park and Catasauqua Park and Playground Mondays to Fridays.

Volunteers are needed for food preparation and to hand out lunches. Child abuse and state criminal clearances are needed, and the church can offer assistance.

For more details, call the church office at 610-264-2641.

The church is also looking for donations to help replenish the food supplies. Individually packed salty snacks, such as Doritos, Takis, potato chips and cheese curls can be dropped off at the church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua. You can also make a monetary donation and volunteers will take care of the shopping.

Call the church office at 610-264-2641.

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The 2026 park summer cornhole league registration is open. Register as an individual or as team. Weekly cornhole matches will take place 6 p.m. Tuesdays June 16-Aug. 18 at the park.

There will be one mid-season tournament, and the same boards will be used as last year.

For more information, contact Jason Bashaw at bashawjm@gmail.com or Adriane Armbruster at adrianearmbruster@gmail.com or 206-569-8845.

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Catasauqua Youth Athletic Association will have football and cheerleader sign-ups 6-7 p.m. June 16 at the field house at 890 Walnut St., Catasauqua. Signups are for ages 4-12.

If you have questions, call Sean at 610-417-9086 for football or Jen at 484-358-9246 for cheer.

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Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua, 210 Pine St., will hold Vacation Bible School 9 a.m.-noon June 22-26. Children from 3 years old and potty trained to fifth-grade students are welcome to participate.

The church is looking for volunteers. Teacher assistants, musicians, activities leaders and helpers are needed.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, call Vicki Beer at 610-390-5361.

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The summer concert series in the park returns with the first concert set for 6:30-9 p.m. June 24. The T&T band will perform, and the concert is free of charge.

For more information, call the borough office at 610-264-1504.

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The annual St. Mary’s Church block party is set for June 25-27 at the church.

The event will feature entertainment by deejay Dan Wade with DH Productions 6-9 p.m. June 25 and 26 and Sons of Izzy 5-9 p.m. June 27, as well as festival favorite foods.

Presale ticket sales are being sold through June 12.

For more information, call the parish office at 610-264-0332 or email kim.stmarys122@gmail.com.

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The Catasauqua and North Catasauqua J4 patriotic celebration is set for July 4 at Catasauqua Park and Playground, 501 American St. The rain date will be July 5.

The celebration will begin with the reading of the Declaration of Independence noon at the George Taylor House, Lehigh and Poplar streets, Catasauqua. The opening ceremony is set for 1 p.m. at the park. The event will include food trucks, music, craft tables, flea market vendors, a dunk tank, a cornhole tournament and children’s games hosted by the YMCA.

There will be a mega Catasauqua High School class reunion, bringing together graduates from every class, teachers and staff.

The evening will conclude with Flirtin’ with the Mob 7-9 p.m. and a fireworks display.

The event will also include a cornhole tournament. Participants are limited to the first 20 paid teams.

Volunteers are needed. If interested, email cattyareaJ4@gmail.com.

Visit the J4 website for all of the latest information at cattytest.my.canva.site/catasauquaj4committee.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church PREP is holding Vacation Bible School — Putting on the Armor of God — 9 a.m.-noon Monday to Friday July 13-17.

VBS is open to all children grades K-8. There is a cost.

To register, contact Amelia Gamble no later than July 1 at prep.stmarys122@gmail.com or by calling the parish office at 610-264-0332.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church will be holding its annual golf tournament 1 p.m. Aug. 7 at Southmore Golf Course. There is a cost.

The registration fee includes beer, cold beverages and hot dogs beginning 11:30 a.m. There will be raffles, 50/50 and course contests. There will be a hot meal after the tournament.

For registration, contact the parish office at 610-264-0332, email kim.stmarys122@gmail.com or visit the website at annunciationbvm.net.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., will hold dinner gatherings 4-6 p.m. each Wednesday. Different dinner offerings are available each week.

For more information, call the church office at 610-264-2641 or visit the church Facebook page.

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Summer fun is heating up in small Town USA. Get out and enjoy all the fun.

If you would like something to be included in the North Catasauqua column, submit it to me at least two weeks in advance, especially if a certain date is involved with your submission. I can be reached by email at ncatacentennial@aol.com.