Easton to Host First Virtual Heritage Day

Easton’s not throwing away its shot at hosting Heritage Day

Though the pandemic has thrown a wrench in plans for the annual event, the festival honoring Easton’s place in American history will continue virtually on July 12, 2020.

Heritage Day honors the fact that only three spots were chosen for the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and Easton, Pa., made the cut. Celebrations honor the city’s history and remind visitors about Colonial life, and are typically held on the Sunday after the Fourth of July. The nonprofit Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) took over the festival for 2020, and has planned an afternoon of fun for the whole family.

All events and performances will be featured on Facebook.com/EastonHeritage. The festival kicks off at noon with a live reading of the Declaration of Independence by Christopher Black (of the Bachmann Players) portraying Robert Levers. Levers was chosen to first read aloud the Declaration in Easton’s Centre Square. Following the reading, performers, historians and historical reenactors will be featured throughout the day.

The day’s events will include:

  • Glass blowing demo
  • Tinsmith demo
  • Blacksmith demo
  • Storytime
  • Songs and stories of canal days
  • Easton trivia
  • Experiments with Ben Franklin
  • Historical photo slideshow
  • Music with Van Wagner
  • History with the Sigal Museum
  • A visit with the First United Church of Christ in Easton
  • Butter making

Those who follow along are encouraged to participate in Easton trivia, which will be posted throughout the day and try their hand at butter making (you’ll need a mason jar, 1 pint heavy cream, salt and marbles).

For more information on Heritage Day, please visit heritageday.org and follow our social channels:

The fireworks that traditionally cap off the festival will be held at a later date in the summer.