TRANSIT FOR ALL PA: Join Lehigh Valley transit riders, workers, and neighbors to improve transit access in our county and all across Pa. on Thursday, July 30 at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity from 5:30-7 p.m.

Attendees will learn more about Transit for All PA and help plan out next steps for advocacy. Talk to other people and policy makers about why transit matters in an effort to get more state funding for LANTA, ask LANTA to make improvements, and expand Pennsylvania’s public transit systems to grow our economy and connect more Pennsylvanians to jobs, health care and essential needs.

Other Lehigh Valley orgs who are fighting for better transit will also be part of the discussion. Free pizza and refreshments provided. Attendance is free. Registration is encouraged at mobilize.us/ppt/event/990146/.

HELLERTOWN SHEETZ: Sheetz, a major Mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain, officially opened its first-ever Hellertown store July 16 located at 1740 Main St. The new location is Sheetz’s fourth store in Northampton County as the company continues to grow its presence in eastern Pennsylvania.

As part of the grand opening, Sheetz presented $2,500 donations to both Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania.

LITTER CONTEST: The Pennsylvania Resources Council is accepting entries for its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest through Oct. 31.

Open to amateur photographers, the contest invites participants to submit photos highlighting litter in Pennsylvania communities. Categories include students, adults, and new Before & After divisions recognizing cleanup efforts. First-place winners in each category will receive $500.

For contest rules and entry information, visit prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest or email lensonlitter@prc.org.

ARTSTOP: The Southside Arts District will celebrate the unveiling of ARTstop, a new interactive public art installation and wayfinding project, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at 3 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem.

Created from a decommissioned LANTA bus stop, ARTstop features an illustrated map, QR codes linking visitors to area arts and cultural attractions, and will eventually include a community bulletin board promoting local events. The installation was designed by Easton artist Danny Finocchio and funded through a Main Street grant from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, followed by a luncheon at Uno Taqueria.

NORTHAMPTON AWARDS: Northampton County will hold its 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. in Courtroom 1 at the Northampton County Courthouse.

Northampton County will present awards to residents in the categories of Volunteer, Youth, Business, Veteran, Samaritan, and Emergency Personnel.

Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and organizations using the form on the DCED website at norcopa.gov/dced. To submit a nomination, please contact Dawn Tomaino at dtomaino@norcopa.gov.

Nominations for Outstanding City and Municipal Employees will be submitted directly by their municipalities.

The event is free and open to the public.

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.

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/