By TERRY AHNER

tahner@tnonline.comFirst it was on, then it was off, and now it's go time for Lehighton's Bike Night.Only this time, the widely popular event won't be staged in the borough itself, but rather, in Franklin Township.For the vendors and spectators alike who have continually supported the event since its debut in 1999, the fact that the event will be held is a happy ending.It will also assuredly be a proud moment for the Franklin Township Fire Company, which will host the event next month, as proceeds from the event will benefit the organization.Over in Lehighton, however, emotions are running high. The news of Bike Night's cancellation came as a disappointment to many fans of the event's Facebook page.That's not to mention borough officials, who feel slighted by what they perceive to be a betrayal of sorts.After all, the borough has hosted the event in each of the past 16 years, raised funds for various organizations and forged friendships.The borough even went as far as to change ordinances to allow for alcohol in borough parks, and had electric installed at the Grove at the request of the Bike Night organizers.Last year, for the first time in the event's history, Bike Night was held at the Grove, as well as the surrounding areas of Seventh, Eighth, Iron and Alum streets.That came after organizers met with borough council several months before last year's event to discuss the change in location after the event had been held in the lower and upper park as it had in each of the previous 15 years.At a special meeting held in February 2014, council made a motion to not allow the event to be held outside of the borough.That decision came after organizers had informed borough officials that they were considering moving the event to Franklin Township because of construction work on the Thomas J. McCall Memorial Bridge, as well as lower park construction.Then word came last month that the Lehighton Downtown Initiative, the organization behind Lehighton Bike Night, planned to cancel the popular summer event due to a lack of vendors.Formed as the Lehighton Downtown Initiative Committee in 2007, the group reorganized earlier this year and dropped the word "committee" based on a recommendation by the National Main Street Foundation.While planning for this year's event began in April, borough officials said there were only 10 vendors who were confirmed for this year's event.The initiative had hopes of bringing the event back even bigger in 2016.In the meantime, organizers of last year's event in the borough were approached earlier this year by the Franklin Township Fire Company about hosting the event in their community.Rather than hold out until next year, organizers thought it best to allow the event to continue on, albeit in a different municipality.The feeling among organizers is that the new location will help Bike Night grow and prosper.But borough officials can't help but feel jilted and believe it was the intention of organizers to hold it in Franklin Township all along.Organizers have said there has been some discussion about giving back some of the proceeds to the LDI.Still, to the borough, it seems like a slap in the face, as the event they were responsible for putting on the map will be held at a location outside the borough.A location different from that of the home and birthplace of the event.