History, Community Come Together for Easton Heritage Day

aBy Christina Georgiou

Easton resident Christopher Black, portraying Revolutionary War era
colonist Robert Levers, read the Declaration of Independence
to an attentive and occasionally rowdy audience at noon on the Centre Square
Sunday at the 37th annual Easton Heritage Day.
Click on any photo for a full size view

An enthusiastic crowd of thousands flocked to Downtown Easton Sunday to partake in the 37th annual Easton Heritage Day.

Easton resident Christopher Black, portraying Revolutionary War era colonist Robert Levers, read the Declaration of Independence to an attentive and occasionally rowdy audience at noon on the Centre Square, reenacting the historic announcement of the Colonies' decision to throw off British rule as it occurred on July 8, 1776. This was the second year he played the Easton patriot.


History took center stage for the rest of the afternoon, with numerous reenactors in period dress representing various time periods from the 1750s through World War II populating the square and a block along Northampton Street. Crafters also demonstrated their arts, with many showing off the skills of days gone by.

Live music by local bands of various genres and styles also entertained Heritage Day guests on several stages located around the festival area, and children enjoyed classic pastimes, such as pony and miniature train rides.

Late in the afternoon, festival activities shifted to the riverfront at Scott Park, with more live music, a carnival-like atmosphere, with a fireworks display by ZY Pyrotechnics of Wilkes-Barre providing a thunderous finale to the day.

Scroll down for a to see a video of the fireworks.

Members of the Whitehall Guard lead the parade into Centre Square
prior to the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

A rapt audience watches as Easton resident Christopher Black
portrays Robert Levers on Centre Square Sunday during
the 37th annual Easton Heritage Day.

Reenactors in period garb watch as the Declaration of
Independence is read on Centre Square.

Proctor's Artillery fires a musket volley after the reading of the
Declaration of Independence on Centre Square during the
37th annual Easton Heritage Day.

Members of the 153rd Regiment at their camp
on Centre Square.

Young reenactors from the New Jersey Frontier Guard show
period toys to Easton Heritage Day guests.

Mike Kochen, portraying Benjamin Franklin, talks about
Franklin's experiments with electricity aided by replica
equipment.

World War II reenactors from the 9th Infantry Division spend a little time in the beer garden.

The Jolly Tars prepare to entertain the crowd with Civil War era music.

Diane Bower, Easton Heritage Day committee chair, and another
volunteer, cruise the festival to ensure all goes smoothly. Nearly
90 people served as volunteers during the event, she said.

A demonstration of technique by Shaolin Kung Fu of Easton.

Roxanne Novo of Phillipsburg, NJ, and Ken Macauley, of
Pen Argyl, greet visitors at the door of the Bachmann Publick
House, the oldest standing building in Easton.

Sam Jones, 11, of Easton, spent Heritage Day educating visitors to the
Bachmann Publick House on the ways of 18th century tavern life.
He said he said he became involved in living history recently after
one of his teachers started a colonial club at Easton Area Middle Schoo.

Inflatable swords were a popular item with the younger set,
as was face painting (below).

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Darren Volk, of Easton, accompanied by his daughter, crafts
a bag of leather.

Local gunsmith Harry Greenburger talks about colonial-era
firearm with a Heritage Day guest.

Ed Land, of Easton, demonstrates blacksmithing
techniques on a portable forge set up on Northampton Street.

World War II reenactors work on making dolls.

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An antique car show was also part of the day.

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A World War II reenactor lioans his hat and rifle to an enthusiastic young
Heritage Day guest.

Jim Mineo solicits donations for the Northampton
county chapter of the Marine Corps League.

Jordan and Amber McIntosh, accompanied by son Jared Frazer, brought
their pets along to Easton Heritage Day--two boa pythons.

Life size cut outs of Easton town crier David Rose
and Christopher Black provided a photo opportunity
for Heritage Day guests.