The Easton area this weekend is hosting a celebration of one of the most indispensable items an outdoors enthusiast can carry — the knife.
The 2024 Lehigh Valley Knife Show is scheduled 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road in Palmer Township.
Exhibitors are lined up that showcase knives as an art form, not just utilitarian.
With over 125 vendor tables, participants include contestants from History’s “Forged in Fire” series, Robert Stumphy offering a forging demonstration and Damscus steelmaker Robert Eggerling, according to a news release from organizers with New Hope-based PA Knife Shows LLC.
Visitors can buy materials for knife- and sheath-making and bring dull knives to be sharpened.
“Bring your family and friends to discover the art of knifemaking!” organizers say in the release.
Door prizes will be awarded, and a donation to the Artisan Tools Association earns a chance to win a knife from Microtech — known for its spring-loaded out-the-front knives like those legalized as of January 2023 in Pennsylvania, according to the release.
Admission is $10 cash at the door or with PayPal at paknifeshows.com, with no charge for supervised children under 13 or Scouts in uniform. Parking is free. Organizers recommend bringing cash for purchases, as many vendors do not take credit cards. Food will be available, according to the release.
The knife show is among a host of events this weekend in the Lehigh Valley region, as fall festival season begins to hit its stride. Among other notable offerings include:
- The Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival, scheduled Friday through Sunday around Main and Spring streets in Bethlehem. Coming off a disappointing 2023 festival marred by rain, this year’s Classic kicks off with a haggis-eating contest at 5:30 p.m. Friday ahead of the feats of strength, food and drink sales, vendors and live entertainment running all weekend. The Showing of the Tartan Parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. Saturday from Bethlehem City Hall and continues up North New Street to West Broad then down Main to the festival grounds. Full details: celticfest.org.
- Grand Central Landfill’s 7th annual Chili Cookoff, taking place 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the landfill, 910 W. Pennsylvania Ave. outside Pen Argyl in Plainfield Township. Guests will sample and judge 10 local nonprofit and community service groups’ chili recipes, as they vie for trophies and prize money to support their organizations and missions. Full details: facebook.com/Grandcentrallandfillandhauling.
- The Lehighton Fire Department 150th Anniversary Parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, starting at Seventh and Coal streets in the Carbon County borough, with a community festival running noon to 8 p.m. at the Community Grove, South Seventh and Iron streets. More information: facebook.com/lehightonheritage.
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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
