It was a beautiful day at the D & L Trailhead in Slatington on Saturday. “The 2nd Annual Gathering at 92” was held to help raise funds for the upkeep of the pavilion just off Main Street, next to the Lehigh River.

A basket auction was held as well as a raffle of some nice prizes. Diggity Dogs & More provided the food.

“This is an abbreviated version of the original “Gathering” that had been held for 10 years,” explained event coordinator Nancy Treskot.

“After it was stopped due to COVID, we decided to continue it, and call it “The Gathering at 92.” 92 is the mile marker along the D & L Trail for the park. We started last year, so this is our second year.”

The program was hosted by the Northern Lehigh Venture Group, made up of various nonprofit organizations from around the local area.

“The funds we raise take care of keeping this (the pavilion) up,” Treskot explained. “We keep up the bathrooms here, the bathrooms over on 7th Street, and the Covered Bridge on 7th Street.”

Since COVID, Treskot explained that over 100,000 people have been using the trail each year, according to electronic counters set up on the trail.

“The people in the community, I cannot begin to say how very generous they are and how much they appreciate this area,” Treskot added. “Many of the local businesses came through and donated to the trail. We put in about $150,000 for the pavilion and restrooms.”

Entertainment at The Gathering at 92 was provided by Jeni Hackett, joined by Ken Duncan on bass guitar, and Dave Scott provided percussion on several numbers. They were also joined by Susie Queen on the Boomba on a Johnny Cash song. Dave Scott then joined up with the rest of his band, “The Groove” later in the afternoon.

Sponsors for the event included Pencor/Blue Ridge Communications, Diggity Dogs & More, Buzzy’s Auto Body, A F Boyer, Holiday Hair, the Rotary Club, Keystone, Sule’s Collision Center, Kevin E. Hunsicker Funeral Home, Bear Rock Junction, Giant, Redners, Burger King, R T Salon, Nancy’s Massage, Joey B’s, Skirmish, Lehigh Gorge Railway, Jim Thorpe Adventures, Diamond Fire Co Ladies Auxiliary, Sheila Steir, Michelle Schramel, Irene Smith, David Altrichter, Country View Diner, Sal’s Pizza, Thomson’s Meat Market, and Becky’s Drive-in.

For the Christmas season, the park plans to add several illuminated Christmas trees for the first time. The park recently ran electricity along a section of the park opposite of the pavilion and hopes to have more organizations utilize the park for events.