As Americans prepare for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, several Lehigh Valley communities are planning celebrations to bring people together.

Dozens of community events are planned in communities nationwide, according to an online map published by America 250, the national, nonpartisan organization tasked by Congress with organizing celebrations nationwide.

Among these recognized local events is a block party 3-10 p.m. July 4 in Whitehall Township. Also on the list is Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights from noon to 8 p.m. July 5 at Bushkill Park in Forks Township.

Adrian Stone, the Whitehall Township block party’s primary organizer, said he wanted to find a way to bring together what he saw as a divided community.

“As a country, we have been, I would argue, too significantly politically polarized and we have been entering this era of political turmoil. Gay versus straight, conservative versus liberals, socialists versus capitalists or Democrat versus Republican,” Stone said. “I asked myself this question of how can I, as this sole, individual organizer, ensure that my community is coming together, collectively, as one?’”

America 250: A guide to July 4 fireworks, parades and more in the Lehigh Valley

Stone said his efforts to organize the America 250 block party include obtaining an ice cream truck and having some community members participate in a car show that will run alongside the block party.

Stone previously put together a graduation party to celebrate his graduation from Whitehall High School in 2025, but setting up the block party was more difficult. But he said he persisted in finding participants and getting the event recognized by America 250.

“Even though some people will say, you know, ‘I don’t think America 250 will recognize your grassroot initiative,’ ” Stone said. “I respect that feedback but when I receive a notice that it will be live on their map, that’s something which uplifted me emotionally because this process has been very daunting, trying to organize it by myself.”

Stone said he hoped his America 250 block party would foster community connections by giving those around him the opportunity to meet one another.

“What I’m hoping to get out of it is, simply put, that people can realize that there’s more than just these suburbs,” Stone said. “There’s people that live in there, in those houses, and there’s people that you can actually connect with and communicate with.”

Other community celebrations

Stone isn’t the only one preparing America 250 celebrations to bring people together.

In Emmaus, Emmaus 250 will run July 24-26.

Emmaus Borough Manager Shane Pepe said he found it important to include several local organizations to best plan out Emmaus 250 for the community’s benefit.

“We met with a whole bunch of community leaders and nonprofit organizations in the borough, including members of our clergy, our nonprofits, our charitable organizations, even our business community,” Pepe said. “We wanted to make sure it wasn’t a government thing. It was an us thing. It was an Emmaus thing.”

Like Stone, Pepe said he hopes Emmaus 250 will bring the local community together through having a diverse array of events while also showing off what he calls “Emmaus pride.”

“There’s a lot of rich history in this community that we want to feature and we want people to see,” Pepe said. “We want people to know that we’re a proud community.”

Here’s a rundown of some other community celebrations:

Northampton Celebrates America’s 250 Anniversary: Music by The Funk Rockers, food trucks. 5-9 p.m. July 3, Municipal Park, Laubach Avenue.

Catasauqua & North Catasauqua Area J4 Celebrates 250: 11 a.m. July 4, Catasauqua Playground, 511 St. John St., food trucks, games, crafts, cornhole, music by Third Hand Band (1-4 p.m.), reading of the Declaration of Independence, noon, George Taylor House; music by Flirtin’ With the Mob, 7-9 p.m. and fireworks, Catasauqua Area School District football stadium.

Macungie: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 4. Petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting, cake walk, candy wheel, kids parade (10 a.m.), duck race (11 a.m.), Macungie Band (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). Macungie Memorial Park, 50 N. Poplar St.

Nazareth Celebrates America 250 Community Festival: Patriotic program honoring town heroes, Nazareth Farmers Market, Craig Thatcher Band, craft vendor market with local artisans, colonial demonstrators, kids activities, food trucks, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 4, Moravian Historical Society, 214 E. Center St., Nazareth. moravianhistory.org/america-250

Bangor America 250th: Celebrate 250 Years of American Independence with food, beer, youth and community tables and fireworks, 3 p.m. July 5, Bangor Memorial Park, 1030 Market St.

Bushkill Park Stars & Stripes Birthday Bash: Music by Joyous and the Rock Revival Band, DJ, food, parade, opening America 250 Posting of the Colors, singing of our National Anthem, hat parade, medallion hunt, birthday cake, noon-9 p.m. July 5. Bushkill Park, 2100 Bushkill Drive, Forks Township.

Easton Heritage Day: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. July 11. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, tours, Colonial and Civil War reenactors, live music, children’s entertainment. heritageday.org

Upper Saucon Township’s America250 Event: Food trucks, vendors, music, fireworks, 5 p.m. July 11. Hopewell Park, 4695 W. Hopewell Road.

America250 Bethlehem Block Party: Street fair atmosphere featuring local bands and musicians, shopping, food, and family-friendly fun, noon-5 p.m. July 12, Downtown Bethlehem, Main Street. lehighvalleychamber.org.

Emmaus Celebrates America 250: July 25: Heritage Festival including Macungie Band (10 a.m.), Castaway Band (1 p.m.), Stacy Gabel Band (4 p.m.), M80 Party Band (7 p.m.), drone and laser show (9 p.m.), Downtown Emmaus and football field. July 26: Community worship (9:30 a.m.), Kendal Conrad (noon), Reservoir Hill Country Band (3 p.m.), Mahoney Brothers (6 p.m.), more. facebook.com/Emmaus250.

Forks Township: Patriotic marches by the Easton Municipal Band; BYOB, 7-9 p.m. July 29. Rain date, July 30. Forks Amphitheater, 500 Zucksville Road, Forks Township.