Celebrate Saucon Valley, American History During Heritage Day May 16

Hellertown is a special place to live. One is reminded of that fact each time the bell tower chimes at Detwiller Plaza, or the sunset pinkens the clouds over CVS or a whiff of deliciousness from the Taste of Italy kitchens is carried on the breeze. Each day is worth appreciating in Hellertown, but sometimes the busy-ness of everyday life causes us to forget how wonderful it is to be a Hellertonian. Thanks to the efforts of the Hellertown Historical Society and Saucon Valley Conservancy, Heritage Day will serve to remind us of just why Hellertown holds a special place in the hearts of residents. After all, we Hellertonians are called to “cherish the past, and embrace the future!”

This year’s Heritage Day, happening on Saturday, May 16, has a full slate of events rooted in the community. The day begins at the Americana Music Tent at the Grist Mill at 11:15 a.m. The Saucon Valley High School Band will perform the national anthem before opening remarks are given. The ensuing activities will take place at two locations: the 1761 Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Complex in Hellertown, which includes the fields beside Sunfish Pond, and the Michael Heller Homestead along Saucon Creek (near the Water Street Bridge connecting Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township). The Americana Music Tent will also host afternoon concerts with Big Valley Bluegrass and the Allentown Band.

Since 2026 marks the United States’ semiquincentennial, colonial history will take center stage at Heritage Day. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. beside Sunfish Pond, colonial artisans will demonstrate their period crafts and have items available for sale. Woodcarving, redware pottery, hex signs, blacksmithing and leather goods will be among the crafts displayed. Take a walk through the artisans’ tents and back through time to see how colonial-era goods were made. Adding to the authenticity, local re-enactors dressed in period uniforms from the 153rd PA regiment will be playing the roles of American Civil War soldiers for the duration of Heritage Day. Stop by their living history demonstrations to ask questions, take pictures and immerse yourself in local and national history!

Dennis Scholl, a member of the Hellertown Historical Society involved in making Heritage Day a reality, encourages visitors to learn more about the first family to call Hellertown their home. “We are focusing this year on the historic development of the grist mill site and the founding of the borough by Johann Christopher Heller, and we will have a booth set up near the Welcome Center at which visitors can access genealogical information about the Heller family,” he said. This year, the Hellertown Historical Society has partnered with the Saucon Valley Conservancy to provide attendees with materials on local men who served in the War for Independence. Scholl said the Conservancy “has done a great job gathering information on 71 men from Lower Saucon Township (remember, Hellertown was part of the township until 1872) who fought in local militias of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.”

If you’re looking to rest your legs after some sightseeing, the Grist Mill’s Tavern Room is an excellent place to take a seat and learn something new. The Hellertown Historical Society has invited several historians and actors to give presentations focusing on landmark moments in local history. The Tavern Room will host three talks throughout the afternoon, beginning at 12 p.m. with Dr. Andrea Smith’s presentation on the 1737 Walking Purchase. Talks by members of the Bachmann Players, plus Jason Searock’s discussion on Moravian Missionaries, will follow. Profiles of the speakers, as well as the previews and titles of their talks can be found on the Hellertown Historical Society website. Skim the list and see which one grabs your interest—each speaker has a wealth of knowledge to share!

If you’re looking to engage children or grandchildren, Tent 14 beside Sunfish Pond is hosting kids’ games and events all day long. There will be a cakewalk, burlap sack and egg races, and colonial magic shows. A stone’s throw away at Tent 13 is the festival’s petting zoo, filled with fluffy friends who would have shared the farm with early colonial Americans. Barnyard animals like goats and ducks, as well as bunnies, would love for you to stop by for a snuggle. Afterwards, take in the natural beauty of Hellertown with a horse-draw wagon ride along Saucon Creek, offered from noon to 5 p.m.

There will also be food trucks featuring Italian favorites from Paisano’s and a variety of tasty food from Grubnight, along with locally-brewed beer and cider available in the concession area.

Horse-drawn wagon rides featuring a narrated history of the area will be available from noon to 5 p.m. and there will be an antique automobile display featuring cars from the early 1900s and beyond.

Anyone planning to attend can also keep up with what’s happening via the Facebook event page for Heritage Day, which is being presented with generous from support from local business and individual sponsors.

With something for everyone and 250 years of history to celebrate, plan to spend Saturday, May 16 with the community at Hellertown’s annual Heritage Day!

Editor’s Note: Two shuttle buses will be available to Heritage Day guests. One bus will run between Grist Mill Park and the Michael Heller Homestead. The other will visit satellite public parking lots at Christ Lutheran Church, 69 Main Street; the former Rite Aid drugstore at Walnut and Main streets; and the elementary and middle school parking lots at the Saucon Valley School District campus, 2097 Polk Valley Road. Parking is very limited at the Saucon Rail Trail trailhead off West Walnut Street.