The Slatington 150th Planning Committee, tasked with developing yearlong events for the borough's sesquicentennial anniversary this year, held a press conference about the upcoming celebration.

Amanda Trelease, Events Committee chairwoman and treasurer, unveiled the schedule for each day of the eight-day event, which will run from Aug. 9 to 16.She said the celebration will kick off that Saturday at 8 a.m. with a 5K race at the Slatington trailhead, followed by opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. in Victory Park.She noted that, along with musical entertainment, food vendors, novelties and games, small games of chance and a beer garden throughout the day, key events on day one will include old-time and current kids games, a free swim at the Northern Lehigh Pool, a crock pot chili cook-off, a cake walk, a beard judging contest and fireworks.The next day, Sunday, will be themed "Religious Heritage Day." with features including historical wagon tours, an Indian artifacts display, a horseshoe tournament, an ox roast and the opening of the 1989 time capsule/revealing of the 2014 time capsule held throughout town.Other highlights of the weeklong celebration include a steak fry on Monday, picnic and business scavenger hunt on Tuesday, clam bake and VFW military and veteran memorial display on Wednesday, old-time carnival and daylong youth events on Thursday, an 1864 Civil War era costume ball and dinner on Friday, and a parade, "Era Dancing in the Streets" and block party on Saturday.Trelease said the committee had garnered direction from what both the 100th and the 125th celebration committees had done in 1964 and 1989 respectively."We wanted to have everybody included," she continued. "We didn't want to leave out teenagers, so that's why we have the pool dance (on Thursday night). We didn't want to leave out young children, that's why the carnival and all the youth games on day one. Of course, adults can have fun all week long, but that's also bringing the children in."Trelease also said that a Facebook page for the event is available and the committee's email address is

slatington150@gmail.com.She also said that registering for any events that require registration can be done at the Slatington's 150th store at 647 Main St."It's going to be the best party Slatington has ever seen," added committee member and Rotarian Cynthia Hazzard.