Plans to finalize details of this year's 11th annual fundraising event, "The Gathering," in Slatington on Oct. 4 was the main topic of discussion during Wednesday's Venture Group meeting.

The Venture Group is an all-volunteer association consisting of representatives of local volunteer civic organizations, municipal governments and other individuals that does such things as apply for grants, donate time, labor and money, and provide other necessary efforts to improve the community and help place it on the map as an attraction.It was just this year that Peter Papay, the event's original organizer, and the Northern Lehigh Historical Society handed over the reins of the annual event to the Venture Group.The event was begun as a fundraiser aimed at acquiring money to develop a covered bridge attraction along Seventh Street in the borough in hopes of highlighting The Slate Heritage Trail, which Papay, heavily involved in the local slate quarry industry, was also instrumental in starting.And though the Venture Group is now handling the event and its many organizations, such as the Slatington Lions Club, the Rotary, Future Focus, the Northern Lehigh Historical Society, the Walnutport Playground Association and others, it will now share profits for use however they see fit to help the community, and a portion of the proceeds will still go toward maintaining The Slate Heritage Trail, Chairwoman Nancy Treskot has said.The event, located at the Trout Run Covered Bridge along Seventh Street in Slatington, will start at noon and include food and beverage vendors, a "Biergarten," bingo from 1-5 p.m., a 50-50 drawing, duck race at 4 p.m., Chinese basket auction with drawing at 7 p.m., wagon rides, free music all day and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.Musical groups will include the County Rhythm Band, Beautiful Oblivion, The Large Flowerheads, Droppin' Trou and, later in the beer garden, Mike Peters and John Ortiz.The wagon ride, costing just $1 for children 12 and under, will run along The Slate Heritage Trail, with the tractor pulling guests atop hay bales to Emerald and back.Parking, which Papay said has always been an issue at the event, will be available at the Bob Labold Maintenance Building on West Church Street, with handicapped parking in front of the garages near the event.Members said vendors can still sign up for $25.Afterward, Papay said, "I feel comfortable that everyone is confident and knows what they're doing."In other news, secretary Jason Breidinger told members that LANta has approached the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce, asking for advice in regard to reconfiguring its future bus schedules in the area. He said the chamber decided to approach the Venture Group for input.Members unanimously approved placing the topic on the agenda for its next meeting, Oct. 29.