Weissport will host Carbon County’s Fourth of July Parade on Saturday.

The parade will start at 1 p.m. in the borough, home of the county’s Liberty Tree and America250 Liberty Bell.

It will form on Franklin and Park street, proceed across Park down White Street, two blocks to Lime Street, and then across Lime and back up Franklin Street.

Dr. Keith “Jake” Boyer, program coordinator, through sponsorship of Jacob’s Weissport Historical Society and Jacob’s U, C, C, said the lineup for the parade will be done by Nick Smith, parade director.

“It’s going to be a very short and sweet parade,” Boyer said. “Hopefully we don’t have to battle the heat or thunderstorms so we’ll be able to get it in.”

Boyer spoke to the significance of the borough hosting the county’s parade.

“I think Weissport played a very important party in the history of the county,” Boyer said. “Especially with the nine people in Pennsylvania who signed the Declaration of Independence.”

Boyer noted that Ben Franklin actually visited Weissport, and built Fort Allen.

“We have this monument celebrating him in the park,” he said. “He played a very significant part, and Colonel Weiss and everyone who fought in the Revolutionary War.”

Boyer said he believes it’s paramount that other municipalities celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.

“It’s a very significant part of our country,” he said. “I think it’s important that every town celebrates our Declaration of Independence, and our freedom.”

Afterward, Boyer said there will be some historical lessons by the Masons: James Haja, Region 7 Educator, Grand Lodge of PA; Matthew R. Hawk, Past Master, Carbon Lodge; George B. Hixson, Past Commander, Valley of Allentown, A.A.S.R.; and Christopher L. Smith, D.D.G.M. 45th Masonic District.

He said there will also be special guests, including General George Washington (Curt Radabaugh), and Benjamin Franklin (Christian Hunsicker).

Before the parade, he said there will be games for the children in the borough park starting at around 10 a.m., which will be run by Sandy Putkowski, Linda Hunsicker, Sarah Angilletta, and Pastor Sam Carey of Hope Church.

The Fourth of July party will then shift to Lehighton with a block party that starts at 4 p.m. at the Lehighton Borough Park.

That will be followed by Lehighton’s annual fireworks spectacular along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard at 9:30 p.m.