Irish American Fest, 9/11 tributes: Celebrate Patriot Day in the Poconos, Lehigh Valley
This weekend, show off your patriotism in the Burgs while celebrating all things green.
The Pocono Irish American Club's second Irish American Festival returns on Saturday to Courthouse Square with live music and family-friendly fun.
The event kicks-off at noon with a performance of the "Star Spangled Banner," by the Galway Girls (the group will also perform later in the day) along with "God Bless America," by the Stroudsburg High School chorus.
Local elected officials — along with members of the PIAC — will speak briefly, (In 2021, they honored first responders, fallen heroes and victims on the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks).
This year, proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Tunnel of Towers Foundation, an organization that supports first responders and veterans and is dedicated in honor of firefighter Stephen Siller.
Siller, who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toward the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, was one of 343 members of the FDNY who were killed that day.
We remember:Pocono residents killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks
Music and more in Stroudsburg
The festivities continue with Irish tunes by well-known hitmakers.
The Tossers, an Irish rock band from Chicago, Illinois, are among the headliners, and slated to perform starting at 1 p.m. are Bogside Rogues, Galway Girls, Flyin' Blind, Jesse Bardwell and the Noble Brothers and Des Clodagh and Conboy and Friends.
In addition, tickets will be available for the dunk tank (attendees will get a chance to dunk their favorite elected official or community member in water), face painting and other games.
Also on tap: Food vendors, bars and restaurants (Cinder Inn, Warrior Bar and Grill, Banter's Hard Cider, Sweet Creams) will be selling staple fair eats (barbecue, burgers and sweet treats) arts and crafts, homemade jewelry and home goods, and a beer tent.
The event is free.
If you go: 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday,
Info: Courthouse Square, 7th and Main streets, Stroudsburg, poconoirishamericanclub.com/irishfestival
Of interest:Meet the man who led a team of Pocono volunteers through the 9/11 rubble
Editor's column:'Never forget?' Sept. 11 is a day my father would prefer not to remember
Other observances in northern Poconos, Lehigh Valley region
If you're in the northern Poconos areas of Wayne and Pike County, you may want to head out to Honesdale for ceremony honoring the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. The Honesdale American Legion Post 254 will be hosting the observance starting at 6 p.m. Sunday in front of the Dimmick Building on Court Street in Honesdale.
In the Lehigh Valley, the SteelStacks campus will host Patriot Day honoring the community’s first responders and revealing the Hometown Heroes First Responders Banners on Sunday, Sept. 11.
The ceremony includes a presentation of ArtsQuest’s First Responder Valor Award to City of Bethlehem Police Sgt. Blake Kuntz.
Opening the event, Stop the Presses will perform on the Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square from 5:30 to 7 p.m. before the reveal of this year’s Hometown Heroes First Responders Banners.
The banners consist of photos submitted by the community of family members, neighbors and friends who have served or are currently serving as first responders. The banners will be on display throughout the SteelStacks campus.
Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott, Rep. Steve Samuelson (R-La) and Mosel will be featured speakers at the event. There will also be a moment of silence to honor our nation’s fallen.
Following the ceremony, the season’s last free show at Levitt Pavilion will feature performances by Slingshot Dakota and Catbite at 7:30-9:15 p.m.
Food and beverages will be available on-site at the Mack Truck Stop and Palette & Pour, the full-service bar and quick-service kitchen located on the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center.
The event is free.
If you go: Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Info: 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, steelstacks.org/event/day/2022-09-11
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Patriot Day in PA: Celebrate in the Poconos and Lehigh Valley
