The Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance, in partnership with the Lehighton Cemetery, announces its next “Songs & Stories in the Mausoleum” event will be held, rain or shine, on Sunday, September 8, at 2:00 PM and will celebrate The Great Lehighton Fair. Stories will be presented by Kathy Long, and traditional folk, Americana, and popular music will be presented by Dave Matsinko, both of Lehighton.
“The Lehighton Fair ran for 142 years and is an important and much-loved institution of our Lehighton area,” said Kathy Long. “Stories will relive this annual spectacle of the midway, 4-H projects, chicken dinners, carnival barkers, games, rides, and the thrill and heartbreak of watching horse and auto races from the grandstand.” In 1858, before the Civil War even began, the first fairs were held in Lehighton near First Ward School (4th & Alum Sts.) at the beginning of October, then expanded to the “new” fairgrounds at the western edge of town, now the Lehighton School District property, in 1870. By 1992, only memories and a few buildings remained.
Dave Matsinko said, “The musical program will explore and bring back memories of the sights, sounds, and smells of the Great Lehighton Fair. Included will be songs of the horse races, midway attractions, motorcycles in the “Wall of Death”, and songs that will bring back memories of being young and in love in a small town on a perfect end of summer day at the fair.” Some of the featured songs will include: “County Fair” by Bruce Springsteen, “Sugar Mountain” by Neil Young, and “Wall of Death” by Richard Thompson. Learn more about Dave Matsinko at www.reverbnation.com/DaveMatsinko
Anyone with Lehighton Fair-related photos or memorabilia that would like to have them included in the display that day, please contact Kathy Long at (570) 249-0361 or kalstory@ptd.net.
The Mausoleum is at the western end of the Lehighton Cemetery, which is located at Fourth & Alum Streets, Lehighton. There will be one show at 2:00 pm. Parking is available directly next to the mausoleum and chairs are provided. Seating is limited. Admission is a $10 suggested donation at the door or seats can be reserved with an advanced donation online at lehightonheritage.org. Proceeds from the event benefit LAHA’s mission to preserve the history of Lehighton and find a permanent home for the collection of historical artifacts.
For those who cannot attend in-person, the program will be recorded and shared via the LAHA YouTube and Facebook page after the event. For more information or questions, visit lehightonheritage.org or call/text 484-629-4729.
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About Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance (LAHA): The mission of the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance (LAHA) is to identify, preserve, promote, and educate the public about the historical legacy of Lehighton and the surrounding area. We are a group of volunteers committed to collecting stories and artifacts in order to safeguard them for future generations. Our goals are to incorporate as a non-profit organization and to obtain a building for a Heritage Center in which we can provide educational exhibits, programs, and activities for adults and children alike. We invite those interested to help us in this quest. For more information, email lehightonheritage@gmail.com and follow us on Facebook at Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance.
