The one-year countdown to Lehighton's Sesquicentennial is on.

Members of the Lehighton 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee gathered Monday at the Lehighton Borough Annex to release information about a fundraiser to be held later this month at the site."The History of Lehighton, an Evening with Mr. Mike Ebbert and Mr. Gordon Ripkey," will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 27, at the Pfc. Clyde R. Houser Jr. Bldg./Borough Annex.The event will include a presentation, question and answer session, and display of memorabilia.Ebbert and Ripkey, both local historians and former Lehighton educators, wrote the book "Lehighton (Images of America)" in 2013.The duo has worked together for many years to research and collect stories, mementos and the history of the borough.Refreshments will be on sale, as well as a 50/50 raffle and commemorative ornaments of the Lehighton Park Fountain.Proceeds raised will benefit the Lehighton 150th Celebration.The borough's longtime residents are urged to come out and support the Lehighton 150th Celebration and reminisce about the olden days of Lehighton, according to Autumn Abelovsky, secretary of the committee.Abelovsky said newcomers to the area can attend and learn a bit of local history from those who have lived it.The Lehighton 150th Celebration Committee is striving to raise funds for the Sesquicentennial in 2016 by offering community based events to attend, she said."By bringing our residents together in an effort to raise the needed money to hold the celebration, it is our hope that the community will become closer, and ultimately band as one to enjoy all that this town has to offer," Abelovsky said."What better way to kick off the year countdown to the 150th Celebration then to bring two of our most respected citizens together and give them a platform to share their knowledge with the townspeople."The event is open to the public, said Abelovsky, who added freewill donations are accepted."You hear your grandparents, or your neighbor, talk about what store was here or when this building was something else," she said."This town has such history, and this event is a place for everyone to come together and exchange all of those stories."The Lehighton 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee's goal is to raise $55,000 for an eight-day celebration to commemorate the 150 years of the borough.The festivities are scheduled for June 25-July 2, 2016.Anyone who is interested in donating or volunteering, may contact the committee at

celebration@lehightonborough.com.Current plans and efforts can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Lehighton150.