Good morning, Allentown.

The Parkland Garden Club will host its annual Star-Spangled Garden Tour on July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine) with tickets available at local businesses and gardens as visitors celebrate America’s 250th Birthday.

South Whitehall native Samantha Lurwick, a dedicated Lehigh County athlete, was inducted into the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Hall of Fame during its Summer Games at Penn State University.

She will coach in the Young Athletes program at the Eastern Pennsylvania Down syndrome Center this summer (adding to her legacy).

Coca-Cola Park in Allentown hosted a patriotic drone show Friday with 300 drones, and the celebration continues today with the park's largest fireworks display plus live performances and interactive exhibits for America 250.

Virginia Ellen, founder of Hangout for Art, won the LaunchBox Ladies Pitch Competition on June 24 at Penn State Lehigh Valley (Center Valley) with $2,500 and an extra $1,000 by audience vote, while her studio on Hamilton Boulevard hosts art workshops and networking events.

Due to a heat wave Friday, World Cup fans celebrating America's 250th found cool shelter at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem.

Today, the Allentown Band will perform at 5:30 p.m. inside Musikfest Cafe + a Bruce Springsteen tribute band will play outdoors at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9:00 on Levitt Lawn.

Parkland High School hosted its 2026 Arts Awards ceremony, where students earned honors for excellence in theatre, music & leadership among other categories, according to the Parkland School District.

Parkland High School announced Courtney Kokolus as its new head varsity cheerleading coach, replacing Alyssa Feher, ahead of summer tryouts.

The 2006 graduate (with years of coaching experience in the area) will lead the cheer team into the upcoming season.

Camp Invention let 60 day campers explore STEM challenges at Parkway Manor Elementary School through hands-on stations, including rocket building, buoyancy tests, and creativity challenges.

The week-long program started June 22, and families can contact the school for next year's camp (a 25-year legacy initiative).

The Leo’s League Pediatric Cancer Fund held a fundraiser on the grounds of the Schnecksville Fire Company to support families facing pediatric cancer.

The event featured a visit from Boston bulldog Max + honored 7-year-old Leo Kushnir, a Wilms tumor survivor.

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania said people should drink water each hour and seek air-conditioned places to stay cool during extreme heat (especially for older adults and those with health issues), urging anyone feeling unwell to get help immediately.

The Sanctuary at Haafsville advises pet owners to keep cats and dogs indoors today as Fourth-day fireworks may make animals anxious (they recommend creating a quiet space and checking IDs and yards for hazardous debris).

Chefs Domenic Lombardo and Katie Horan from Northampton Community College shared simple summer grilling recipes on 69 News at Sunrise Friday morning in Salisbury TWP (their demos included burgers, gourmet hot dogs, and honey-glazed rolls).

SteelStacks events including the World Cup and America’s 250 kickoff have been moved indoors due to extreme heat & severe thunderstorms in Bucks County.

Attendees are urged to seek shelter and follow safety guidelines.

2026 WWE Summer Tour in Allentown

7:30-10:30 p.m. — PPL Center — Ticket prices vary — Get ready for an electrifying night as WWE returns to Allentown for the first time in three years.

Bourbon & Blues Night with BC Blue

6-10 p.m. — 1812 Piano Lounge — Reservations required — Enjoy a soulful evening of live blues music with BC Blue, featuring the dynamic sounds of Bev Conklin.

DCI: Drum Corps International - 2 Day Pass

6:30-9:30 p.m. — J. Birney Crum Stadium — VIP tickets available — Experience top-tier drum corps performances with exclusive VIP packages.