BLOCK PARTY: The City of Bethlehem will host a Clearview Park Block Party 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Clearview Park, 2246 Pinehurst Road, as part of its 40 in 10: Every Park in 10 Years Bethlehem Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Residents will have an opportunity to review proposed park designs and provide feedback on improvements planned for construction next year. The free event also will feature a DJ, face painting, food and family-friendly activities. A rain date is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 9.

Additional community engagement events are planned for Madison Park July 15 and Bernie Fritz Park July 29. Residents can learn more about the parks master plan and community engagement process on the city’s website.

RECOVERY HOUSE: Victory Recovery Homes will host an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 10, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at its newly renovated residential facility, 33 S. 15th St., Allentown. The Allentown Area Chamber of Commerce will lead a formal ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.

The nonprofit provides structured, nine-to 12-month residential recovery programs for adult men overcoming addiction, helping bridge the gap between treatment and independent living. Founded in 2018 and reorganized in 2023, the organization prioritizes veterans while serving men across the Lehigh Valley.

The renovated home can house up to 15 residents and offers services including recovery support, employment readiness, life skills training and peer mentorship. Leaders say about 75 percent of program graduates achieve long-term recovery outcomes, including stable employment and housing.

The public is invited to tour the facility, meet staff and learn about partnership opportunities during the event.

EASTON CELEBRATION: Downtown Easton will take center stage in a regional celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, with four days of history-themed events planned July 8–11.

Organized by the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, the commemoration will highlight Easton’s role as one of the first places where the Declaration of Independence was publicly read in 1776.

The celebration opens Wednesday, July 8, with a midday program at the Sigal Museum marking the exact 250th anniversary of Easton’s historic reading, followed by a champagne toast and exhibition tour. A ticketed “Easton Declaration Dinner” will take place that evening at Thyme Rooftop Grille.

Events continue Thursday, July 9, with a noon panel featuring cartoonist Jonathan Hill discussing a graphic novel on the American Revolution, and an evening members’ reception and book launch at the 1753 Bachmann Publick House.

On Friday, July 10, a Bachmann Block Party will transform Second Street into a festival space from 3 to 10 p.m., with live music, food, drinks and a large-screen watch party.

The celebration culminates Saturday, July 11, with Heritage Day in Centre Square and throughout downtown Easton beginning at 10 a.m. Highlights include a noon re-reading of the Declaration of Independence, live music, colonial reenactments and expanded food offerings.

Additional programming includes historic site tours and a ticketed bus tour exploring locations tied to early public readings of the Declaration in Easton, Trenton and Philadelphia.

Organizers say advance registration is recommended, with some events offering limited capacity.

INDIA HERITAGE: Saara Arts will present its ninth annual India Heritage Day 3-6 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Allentown Arts Park. The free, family-friendly festival celebrates the arts, traditions and heritage of India while bringing together people from across the Lehigh Valley.

This year’s theme, “Rhythms of India,” will feature live cultural performances, interactive art and dance workshops, authentic Indian cuisine, children’s activities and a multicultural finale, “Weaving Cultures Together,” celebrating unity through traditional Indian attire. Josh Siegel is scheduled to participate in the opening ceremony with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp.

MEASLE RISK: With measles cases increasing in eastern Pennsylvania, St. Luke’s University Health Network pediatricians are urging parents to ensure their children are protected through vaccination and to discuss an accelerated immunization schedule with their child’s health care provider if they live in or plan to travel to areas where cases have been reported.

Dr. Jennifer Janco, chair of St. Luke’s Pediatrics, said infants ages 6 to 11 months may be eligible for an early dose of the MMR vaccine, while children who have already received their first dose at age 1 may qualify to receive their second dose earlier than the routine schedule. Parents also are encouraged to contact their child’s health care provider before traveling to ensure vaccinations are up to date and to review the latest list of Pennsylvania counties with confirmed measles cases on the state website.

VINTAGE PEWS: Richard L. Dotta Auction Co. Inc. will sell vintage pews from St. John’s United Church of Christ, 183 S. Broad St., Nazareth, in its July online general auction July 15, with all proceeds from the pew sales benefiting the church.

Bidding will remain open until the auction begins closing at 4 p.m. The pews, which measure about 14 feet long, were removed as St. John’s reconfigured its sanctuary to create space for its contemporary music program and improve accessibility seating, according to the church.

The sale also includes Disney items, country collectibles, vintage comic books, dolls, furniture and sports memorabilia. An open house and preview day is scheduled noon-5 p.m. July 14 at the Dotta Auction Center, 330 W. Moorestown Road, Nazareth.

CLASSIC CROONERS: Tony Farina will bring the songs of classic crooners to Traditions of Hanover July 21.

Farina will perform from 2-3 p.m. at the Bethlehem senior living community, with a repertoire featuring songs associated with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Perry Como. Complimentary refreshments will be served during the show.

Reservations are requested by July 14. To RSVP, contact Megan Sedlock at 484-893-6034 or msedlock@traditionsofhanover.com.

BLUEBERRY FEST: The annual Blueberry Festival at Historic Burnside will return July 18-19, offering a weekend of family-friendly activities, live entertainment and blueberry-themed treats.

Festival highlights include live music, colonial-era demonstrations, hands-on crafts, pie-eating contests, baby goat snuggling and an activity trail for children.

Advance ticket purchases provide more than 15 percent savings. Organizers also are accepting preorders for a variety of blueberry desserts, including pies, strudels, coffee cakes, crullers, sugar cookies and blueberry swirl ice cream.

A Blueberry Bonanza package featuring a blueberry pie, large blueberry coffee cake and large blueberry strudel is available at a 20 percent discount compared with individual prices.

Preordered desserts may be picked up during Market To Go Day, 3-7 p.m. July 17, at Historic Burnside, or during festival hours. Festival admission is required for dessert pickup during the event.

For tickets and dessert preorders, visit Historic Burnside’s website.

PARK PROGRAM: The Borough of Fountain Hill’s summer Park Program will run through Aug. 14, offering free recreational activities for children, including arts and crafts, board and lawn games, and sports such as kickball, pickleball and soccer.

The program will be held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m. Registration is required. Children age 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

The borough also announced the appointment of Karlene Hemerly Fluck as recreation manager. A Fountain Hill native, Fluck will oversee the program and its activities.

For information or to register, call Fountain Hill Borough Hall at 610-867-0301.

SUMMER PROGRAM: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites has announced a series of new summer programs and events celebrating history, craftsmanship and America’s 250th anniversary.

HBMS also announced new America 250 tours, including “Bethlehem & the Revolution” and “Ales & Tales,” along with new Maker’s Retreat weekends in June and October offering hands-on classes in blacksmithing, pottery, jewelry making and other traditional crafts.

FOOD DRIVE: Organizers of the fifth annual Summer Harvest Food Drive will hold the monthlong collection in July to benefit food pantries in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties in Pennsylvania and Warren County, New Jersey.

Led by Tamie Swain of Bethlehem, the drive collected more than 6,000 pounds of nonperishable food for 15 pantries last year. Organizers hope to increase donations to 10,000 pounds this year.

Donations also will be collected during the Blast Furnace Blues Festival July 17-18 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

Information on volunteering, hosting a donation site or making a contribution is available at summerharvestfooddrive.com.

CLEAN UP: 2026 Big Cleanup at the Rose Garden. Join the friends of the Garden and volunteers who maintain the garden Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Replace aging roses and plant new, sustainable varieties that support birds, bees, and other pollinators.

Email 18018mana@gmail.com.

Funding etc.: there is a GoFundMe platform to make giving easier. (Please note: GoFundMe automatically suggests a 17.5 percent tip, but you can adjust it to zero or a modest 1.5 percent if you prefer.) Visit gofund.me/4dfe76cc.

CELTIC CONTESTS: The Celtic Cultural Alliance is inviting participants to enter several contests during the 39th Annual Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival, scheduled for Sept. 25-27 in downtown Bethlehem.

Contests include the Irish Soda Bread Muffin Baking Contest, sponsored by King Arthur Baking Company; the Celtic Poetry Contest, open to writers of all ages; and the popular Haggis Bowl, in which 15 contestants compete to eat a pound of haggis the fastest.

Contest details and entry information are available at celticfest.org. The Celtic Classic will feature Highland games, music, food and Celtic culture throughout the three-day festival.

NORTHAMPTON HABITAT: After more than three years of hard work, perseverance, and adaptations, “Homes at Forks,”– a collaborative project being undertaken by Northampton County and Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley – has received final approval from Forks Township Board of Supervisors. The 12-acre development is located off Kesslersville Road near the Two T’s Family Entertainment Center and Braden Airpark in Forks Township.

This project will provide attainable housing for 25 families in need, a step forward in our goal of providing affordable housing options in the Lehigh Valley. In true Habitat for Humanity fashion, each future homeowner will contribute 250 hours of sweat equity in helping to build their home – a testament to the dedication and investment these families bring to their community.

BIKE FESTIVAL: Bike Broad, a car-free community bike ride and festival, will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Bethlehem Rose Garden on Eighth Avenue.

Roads will reopen around 10 a.m., followed by a festival continuing until noon. The event is open to ages 4 and older.

Information and registration are available at lvcat.org/bike-broad.

10TH ANNIVERSARY: The National Museum of Industrial History will host a cocktail reception Nov. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The gala will highlight a decade of public engagement and invites community participation through attendance, program advertising and donations for a silent auction. [10th Anniv ... la at NMIH | Outlook]

Additional details are available through the museum’s website.

GREENWAY MUSIC: The Southside Arts District is kicking off the summer season with the return of Live on the Greenway, a free outdoor concert series bringing live music, local food and beverage makers, and community energy to Bethlehem’s Southside. This Sunday afternoon series invites residents and visitors to enjoy live performances in an open-air setting while supporting local bands and small businesses.

The series is presented by the Southside Arts District with and supported by the City of Bethlehem, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, and community partners. Concerts take place from 1–3 p.m. on select Sundays at Harmony Pavilion, located between Webster and Taylor Streets on the Greenway.

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for seating. Food and beverages from local food trucks and craft beverage vendors will be available for purchase, with vendors rotating weekly.

Convenient is available in the Mechanic Street Lot #2 next to the Greenway or along Mechanic Street, and in the New Street Parking Garage. It is free to park on Sundays in Bethlehem.

For more information, visit: southsideartsdistrict.com/live-on-the-greenway/