People dressed in red, white and blue filled the grounds of the George Taylor House in Catasauqua on Saturday morning, marking the nation’s 250th Independence Day at the home of one of Pennsylvania’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.
American flags waved across the historic property as families gathered to talk with neighbors, visit historical displays and watch the day’s events from lawn chairs and blankets, as ceremonies celebrated the country’s semiquincentennial and the legacy of George Taylor.
They were among those across the Lehigh Valley who braved yet another hot, sunny day during an extended heat wave to celebrate.
The annual celebration hosted by the George Taylor House Association began with a performance by the Catasauqua Bell Choir in the pavilion, followed by welcome remarks and acknowledgments. Then, Jason Kern, portraying George Taylor, addressed the crowd before performances by the Catasauqua Community Choir and the Bachmann Players. The morning continued with the national anthem, a parade, a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the ceremonial changing of the flag, and concluded with a musket salute.
For many in attendance, there was no better place to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday than the home of one of the men who helped make it possible.
“This is probably going to be the most important event of the day for us,” said Tom Vresics of Bethlehem, who attended with his wife after watching the musical “1776,” one of their annual Fourth of July traditions. “I couldn’t picture a better 250th celebration than actually being at George Taylor’s house, someone who signed the Declaration.”
Hot time at Cedar Beach
Early in the afternoon, people were starting to fill Cedar Beach in Allentown as food trucks and vendors lined the walkway with live music and a DJ providing entertainment through the day before the evening’s scheduled fireworks display.
“We’re coming by early to get out, but we’ll be back for the fireworks,” said Allentown resident Stacih Aothy, who was checking out the food trucks with her group.
A few families with children were taking advantage of the shade under the trees as a light breeze offered relief from the heat, along with a cup of lemonade or a bowl of ice cream. Otherwise, there was a steady flow of people heading to the public pool, which was already crowded as temperatures reached into the 90s.
Keely Farrell and her boyfriend Sean Holly were spending their first July 4th in the Lehigh Valley since moving from Delaware County. Rounding out the group were Serena Grantland and Cassidy Farrell, who were visiting from Delco.
“We wanted to start here, then cool off at the pool, then fireworks after that,” she said.
Holly said it’s different from past holidays, when he would go to Las Vegas or simply hang out with friends.
“We celebrate every year,” he said. “It’s nice to see the community coming here.”
On social media, Allentown officials were keeping on eye on the weather as thunderstorms threatened to interrupt the proceedings.
If things go off as planned, the celebrations were planned to last until 11 p.m. with an extended show of pyrotechnics.
‘The American experiment’
At the George Taylor House Vresics said the anniversary represents “250 years of the American experiment” and shows “people can work together to do what’s best, but not perfect, for everyone.”
“When the colonies were formed, they were divided,” he said. “There were a lot of issues that separated them, but this document was signed because people put their differences aside and did what was of the common good for everybody. It wasn’t a perfect union yet, but we strived for a perfect union. I think that’s what the Founding Fathers would say we need to do today. We’re not going to have perfection, but we also can’t let perfection be the enemy of the common good.”
Nearby, Sharon Zondag of Bethlehem and her husband watched the program from beneath a tree overlooking the main stage.
“It’s just so great that the George Taylor House is doing this, like they do every year,” Zondag said. “We’re very excited to be here today for the reading of the Declaration on the 250th.”
Gary Weaver of Whitehall Township spent the morning assisting the George Taylor House Association while dressed in Revolutionary War attire. Weaver reenacts with the Northampton County militia during Revolutionary War events and the 153rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry for Civil War programs, traveling to historical events throughout the region.
“It makes me so proud to be an American, with the liberties we have,” Weaver said.
Jason Kern, who spent the week preparing for the celebration, said the country’s history remains a work in progress.
“We have come so far but we have so far to go,” Kern said. “The Founding Fathers set a foundation for the country, but even they didn’t know what was to come.”
Ross Gerhart of Coopersburg attended the celebration with his family for the first time before a planned picnic with friends from church later in the day.
“The declaration was fundamental for the nation and the reason why we’ve come this far,” Gerhart said.
His 10-year-old son, Grant, also reflected on the country’s future.
“I hope that Americans can find our roots again,” he said.