The annual St. Mary’s Church block party is set for June 25-27 at the church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua.

Come out and enjoy children’s games, bingo in the parish hall, basket raffles and a bake sale. Your favorite foods will be available.

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.

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

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North Catasauqua and St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 1229 Third St., welcome Father Eric Gruber back to small Town USA. The church will hold a welcome social for Gruber June 28, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass in the church hall.

There will be a lunch buffet served.

To contribute desserts, drop them off in the church hall before or after the Masses this weekend.

Call Annette Englert at 610-533-2109, Peg McCarty 610-762-0250 or Connie Molchany 610-554-2857 for further details.

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Catasauqua Garden Club meets July 1. This month’s topic is a workshop on the art of kokedama, a moss ball hanging planter popular in Japan to create garden beauty in a small space.

The meeting will take place at Slovak Center Social Club, 1233 Fifth St. Doors open 12:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning 1 p.m.

Workshop materials will be provided, and visitors are welcome.

For more information, email debmellish@gmail.com.

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Catasauqua Youth Athletic Association will hold sign-ups for fall baseball and softball 6-7:30 p.m. July 1 and 11 a.m.-noon July 11 at the CYAA field house, 890 Walnut St. There is a $100 snack stand deposit required.

There will be no late sign-ups after these dates.

For more information, the baseball contact is Heather at 484-274-5441 and the softball contact is Alan at 610-844-4036.

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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. The next committee meeting is 6:30 p.m. July 1 at the park.

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

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Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will host a fish for free day July 4 to allow anyone to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply.

Try your luck here in North Catasauqua at the Lehigh River.

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With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, Northampton County Emergency Management Services would like to make residents aware of fireworks safety.

Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol; never allow young children to handle fireworks; older children should use them only under close adult supervision; anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear; never light them indoors; only use them away from people, houses and flammable material; only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting; never ignite devices in a container; do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks; soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding; and keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.

Check your municipality laws on firework use.

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The free summer concert series will continue with Castaway Band 6:30-9 p.m. July 8 at North Catasauqua William J. Albert Memorial Park, 701 Grove St. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a night of music in the park.

Call North Catasauqua Borough Hall at 610-264-1504 if you have questions.

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The sixth annual Jess Fin Fest will take place 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11 at the park. The main attraction is the coed volleyball tournament and cornhole tournaments.

Other activities include a basket raffle, deejays Johnzy and PK from KJ Lehigh, tournament shirts and Jess Fin Foundation apparel for sale, food, Lehigh Valley Homebrew craft beer and the Inside Scoop ice cream. Kids can enjoy the playground.

The Jess Fin Fest proceeds fund brain tumor research and grants for local individuals diagnosed with brain cancer. It is in memory of Jess Finlayson, a Northampton volleyball coach and eighth-grade math teacher who lost her battle to brain cancer in 2021.

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A Catasauqua-area summer pub crawl is scheduled for 5 p.m.-midnight July 11. The event includes drink specials at every stop.

Establishments in Catasauqua and North Catasauqua will be participating. You must be 21 years of age and older to participate. Passports for a chance to win prizes can be picked up at participating locations.

For more information, visit the Catasauqua Pub Crawl Facebook page.

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Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St., will be celebrating Christmas in July July 2-31 with a lot of Christmas items.

The thrift shop is happy to accept donations of clean, used clothing, household items and toys during regular store hours.

The thrift shop’s hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Proceeds from the shop are returned to the community through contributions that support youth and adult programs and services.

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St. John Fisher Catholic Church wishes to thank everyone who made the basket social a great success. All those who donated baskets or items for baskets or gave donations, as well as everyone who came to support our fundraiser, know that your efforts are greatly appreciated by the parish.

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Don’t forget to display your American flag the week of July 4 and for America 250.

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.