They band together for a community celebration along the Slate Trail.

That same allure is what will once again bind those who assemble for the Gathering in Slatington.The annual event will be held along the Slate Heritage Trail from noon to midnight Saturday, rain or shine.The Trail runs from Slatington, through Washington Township and Emerald, to the baseball fields in Slatedale.Events will include a craft fair at the Slatington Trailhead at Main and Railroad Sts.; food, drinks, music and vendors at the Covered Bridge at Seventh St.; wagon rides from the Covered Bridge to the Slatington Trailhead; and breakfast at St. Peter's Church in Emerald.Chief Don Wild Eagle will perform Native American dance from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the Main Stage. Good Friday will perform from 5-7 p.m. on the Main Stage, followed by the Jesse Wade Gang from 7:30-9:30 p.m.Of course, everyone's favorite, the Great Slatington Duck Race, will be held at 4 p.m. at the Trout Run Covered Bridge.There will be Bluegrass Music at the Bier Garten Stage with Mike Peters and John Ortiz, alogn with food and drinks at the Bier Garten with exhibitors all day.A Chinese auction will be held with a drawing at 7 p.m., and a Health Fair Tent will be open from 1-5 p.m. Last, but certainly not least, will be a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.Ted Kistler, president of the Northern Lehigh Historical Society, said the event continues to outdo itself."It's grown to be quite successful," Kistler said. "It's amazing, the people that come out."Kistler said those who attend know they are part of a special event."We say it's where old friends meet new friends," he said. "It has been very successful; we'd like to thank everyone for supporting it, and hope it continues to be successful."Proceeds from this year's event will go toward the maintenance of the trail, said Kistler, who added the NLHS would like to finish the building at the trailhead, complete with bathrooms, a meeting room and pavilion.Parking is available at the Slatington Maintenance Building, and also above the Covered Bridge. Handicapped parking is available next to the garages at the Covered Bridge. There is no parking along Seventh Street.