ABOUT THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL

In 2012 the City of Allentown will mark a monumental milestone - its 250th anniversary, or Semiquincentennial.  Like our nation, our city has grown and changed during its long history.  From a small village along Trout Creek to the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. Allentown's 250th commemorates and celebrates our rich history, the revitalization of present day and an ever more promising future.  The celebration will be one that is for the community and therefore shaped by the community.  The year-long commemoration of Allentown's 250th will be on that makes a lasting impact not just for Allentown but for the region.
 




Celebrations & Events


News & Info

 

Donate to support the 250th Celebration!


 

 

For more information contact
Tara Craig

craigt@allentowncity.org

610-437-7530

Celebrate Allentown's Parks

The PARKS celebration will bring together neighbors, churches, and civic associations to form independent yet city-wide festivities throughout the year that will showcase one of Allentown’s greatest physical assets—its parks.

Once a month during 2012, a celebration will be scheduled at a park that will include food, activities specific to features of that park and recreational and/or leisure activities that engage the immediate neighborhood. Celebrations unique to each park and its surrounding neighborhood will occur on different days throughout the year – encouraging Allentonians to visit each celebration and enjoy the distinct characteristics of each neighborhood.

The 2012 schedule is as follows:

Date/Time Event Park
     
February 5 Sledding and Hot Chocolate Lehigh Parkway Noon-3 PM after road race
March 17 Kite-making and Basketball Bucky Boyle
April 21 Fly Fishing Trout Creek
May 19 Bike & Boat Canal Park 10 AM-3PM
June 16 Picnic and Nature walk S. Mountain Reservoir Park
July 28 Tennis Tournament Percy Ruhe Park
August 2 Soccer Tournament & Clinic Keck Park
Sept. 9 Music and Arts in the Park Arts Park Noon-5 PM No rain date. Activities will move indoors if needed.
Oct. 12 Maze and Movie Dadonna Park 5-6 PM Hay Maze 6:30-7:30 PM Storyteller 7:30-9:30 PM Movie
November 3 Tree Planting Location TBA

No December or January event due to weather concerns.

The September Music & Arts in the Park event will prove be a highlight. A combined event of the 250th Parks and Arts & Culture committees, the celebration will include a revival of the former 5th Street Family (Arts) Fair and a celebration of Allentown’s cultural diversity, while showcasing Allentown’s Arts Park. This event truly exemplifies two of the main goals of the 250th—to revive where possible annual events, and to include existing events/partners/activities. Partners include the Baum School, Allentown Symphony, Civic Theatre, Repertory Dance Theater, Community Music School the Heritage Museum, and the Allentown Art Museum, who will repeat their previous roles in the fair by offering arts activities for children and families. Fair activities will focus on art education and hands-on opportunities for children, and celebrations of cultural foods and traditions. Examples include:

  • Performance demonstrations given by members of CMS, Civic Theatre and Repertory Dance Theater.
  • ASA's instrument “petting zoo” and other musical activities.
  • Interactive opportunities with the visual arts from Baum and the Art Museum.
  • Spontaneous Dance Crew performance.
  • Mini open houses of surrounding Arts facilities.
  • Food/snack/cultural vendors.