The 44th annual Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 Block Party will take place Friday and Saturday at the fire department on Fairyland Road.

Chris Lilly, president of the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary, said the event is a top fundraiser.

“We try to schedule entertainment and activities to suit everybody,” Lilly said. “We encourage people to come out and enjoy the day, meet with their friends and renew old acquaintances, maybe make some new ones.”

Lilly said the event starts at 4 p.m. both days, with a menu that consists of hamburger barbecue, ham barbecue, chicken barbecue, steaks and cheesesteaks, sausage sandwiches, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, fish sandwiches, filling with gravy, fries and pierogies.

Beverages include soda, ice tea, water, coffee and tea. The regular menu starts after 7 p.m. Friday, and runs from 4-10 p.m. Saturday.

She said Friday will have seafood dinners from 4-7 p.m. (or until sold out), and include baked haddock (Poorman’s lobster), fried haddock, shrimp or chicken fingers, with a choice of french fires or filling.

Lilly said Lehigh Valley Health Network will sponsor the entertainment by South Penn Dixie from 6-10 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, Mystery City will perform from 6-10 p.m. There will also be a Garden Tractor Pull from 7-10 p.m.

Lilly said St. Luke’s University Health Network is sponsoring the fireworks spectacular by Pyro Joe, which will start between 10 and 10:30 p.m.

“Come early, talk to your friends, enjoy the music and stay for the fireworks,” she said.

Lilly said outside vendors both days will include Bailey’s Candies, Pocono Potato Chip Company, Mason’s Lemonade, Kitty Kat Concessions (iced coffee and beignets), Hoff Kettle Corn, Super Soft Ice Cream, a funnel cake stand by the Carbon County 4-H, waffles and ice cream, along with cheeseburgers and hamburgers by the Franklin Fire Company, 3D Critters and Creations, Strohl’s Woodcraft and Lehighton EMS.

She said games will include a big 6-wheel, bingo, Chinese auction (basket raffle), a bounce house and obstacle course from I’m That Guy, and an appearance from Buster the Clown.

Lilly said there will also be adult games, a Big Six Wheel, rip opens and the dime toss. There will also be a beer garden.

Inside, she said they will have a giant basket raffle, bake sale, raffles with produce baskets and raffles from Seltzers.

Lilly said the funds from the block party will go toward fire company projects (bucket donations that are collected will go toward the firetruck fund).

“We do raise a significant amount of money,” Lilly said. “In light of the fact we have ordered our new engine to be delivered in the future, we’re trying to get as many funds as possible at this point so that we don’t have to finance quite as much.”

The Franklin Township Lions Club will also be collecting for Wreaths Across America.

Lilly said anyone who wishes to volunteer may call 610-377-8573.