Lehighton Mayor Ryan Saunders led the unveiling of the Lehighton Downtown Initiative’s America 250 Mosaic Mural Tuesday evening.

The mural is located next to the newly-repainted caboose along Sgt. Stanley Hoffman Boulevard, across from the D & L Trail Pavilion.

Jet Signs of Palmerton helped in putting the mural together, and in adding newly-painted lettering to the caboose.

“It is very heartwarming to see how our small town has come together as one to celebrate America 250,” Saunders said. “Lehighton’s celebration demonstrates the importance of partnerships and how much we can accomplish, and the degree of impact we can all make, if we all work together.”

Lehighton Downtown Initiative Community Operations Director Bambi Elsasser presented the opportunity to get an America 250 Mosaic Mural Grant, which they received.

The mural consists of 200 6-inch by 6-inch tiles, all hand-painted, and assembled in a 7-foot by 12-foot frame.

The various tiles were painted in 11 painting sessions, Elsasser said.

The tiles represent local businesses, churches, nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and residents adding their America 250 interpretations, along with memorials of loved ones and young children just wanting to be part of something very special.

Saunders thanked Lehighton Downtown Initiative Vice President Tracy Saunders for her work on the mural.

“Tracy really took the reins of this project, dedicating a lot of her time to hosting the painting sessions, organizing the tiles, and keeping track of each step we needed to make sure that everything came together,” Mayor Saunders said. “Thank you, and the rest of our volunteers.”

Bambi Elsasser added, “We just thank the community, the businesses, the organizations that came out. It was absolutely overwhelming and heartwarming to see our community all come together.”

After the mural was uncovered, all those present came closer to see the individual tiles that they and others donated.