The temperature isn't the only thing on the rise in Lehighton.

Thanks to a generous donation, members of the Lehighton 150 Celebration Committee were able to raise the thermometer to show how much money has been raised for the borough's celebration next year.On Tuesday, the committee was the proud recipient of a donation in the amount of $2,500 courtesy of the Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank.Committee secretary Autumn Abelovsky said the group was excited by the donation."With today's sponsorship donation, the committee is pleased to announced that they are close to meeting their original goal of $55,0000," Abelovsky said. "Today, the committee is raising their thermometer, which shows how much has been raised, to $44,000."Abelovsky said the committee hopes to exceed its original goal, and noted that thermometers can be found in front of the borough municipal building, as well as next to the Lehighton sign on Stanley Hoffman Boulevard.The committee has met for over two years in preparation for the eight-day celebration that will embrace the beginnings of the borough, as well as remember all of the notable milestones that occurred over the past 150 years.The celebration will take place from Saturday, June 25, through Saturday, July 2.A tentative schedule of events has been released by the committee, and include historic town tours, a square dance, a scavenger hunt, living history shows and tours, the infamous soap box derby, old time kids games, a talent show, the Miss Sesquicentennial pageant, a musical theater production and, of course, a parade.Each day of the celebration will also have a street fair and music featured nightly at the amphitheater.Special events will also include naming a Citizen of the Century and a time capsule.A fireworks display will close the celebration.A Lehighton 150 Anniversary Booklet will be printed to commemorate the celebration.Abelovsky said the committee would like the public to know that there are several ways they can start to become a part of the festivities.In addition to accepting sponsorships and donations until Jan. 31, current and former residents can join the 150 Club. Membership to the Club is limited to 150 members.The cost is $150, and includes a sesquicentennial shirt, framed certificate, and button and priority entry into all sesquicentennial events.Additionally, all members will be included in the celebration booklet and have their names placed in the time capsule.Also, in partnership with the Shade Tree Commission, 150 trees will be planted between now and the celebration.Trees can be purchased for a donation. A list and map of the trees, the purchasers and/or the honoree of the tree will also be placed in the time capsule.Commemorative T-shirts, as well as Lehighton park fountain ornaments, are available for sale at the borough municipal building.For more information, please email

celebration@lehightonborough.com, or call the borough secretary at 610-377-4002, ext. 211.The mailing address is Lehighton 150 Celebration Committee, 1 Constitution Ave., Lehighton, PA 18235.The Committee can also be found on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/groups/Lehighton150/, or Twitter and Instagram at Lehighton 150.Anyone who would like to become a sesquicentennial sponsor should contact the committee via phone or email.