Harvest Festival chair thanks participants

George Lynch, North Hanover
   Another Harvest Festival has passed and as Festival Chairman I would like to address two issues. First, I would like to thank all of you who continue to make the festival a success year after year. Thank you to all the residents of South Main Street who remain landlocked for two days out of the year, allowing the rest of the community to enjoy the fall. Thank you to the officers and crossing guards who keep the festival peaceful and safe. Thank you to the borough for helping with all of the issues that need attention. Thank you to all who participate in the festival, the crafters, food vendors, non-profit groups and organizations and the entertainers. Thank you Ron Dunster for helping out in more ways than you need to! And anyone else I may have missed, thank you!
    Secondly, I was confronted during the festival by an individual who claims that the festival “does nothing for local residents.” Nothing for the residents? How about the local scout groups selling flowers, pumpkins, and scarecrows to raise funds, are they not residents? The local church groups who set up booths for their charitable causes, are they not residents? The Allentown Historical Society who came in Revolutionary War costume in hopes of passing on some knowledge and learning, are they not residents? The first aid and fire departments who collect money to help continue serving our community, are they not residents? The Lions Club, the Allentown Public Library, the Women’s Association of Allentown, are these groups not made up of residents? Necessities from the Heart and Belinda Walters who came out to raise money and awareness about breast cancer, are they not residents? The Robotics Club, the Redbird Cheerleaders, the girls’ basketball team all from Allentown High School, are they not residents? The crafters, local businesses, and a rock band from the school who needed a stage to gain some self-confidence, are all of these not made of residents? And finally, all of the folks who came to the festival and spent the weekend having a good time, are they not made up of residents?
    I can’t speak for this individual, but as a business owner in town, all of these people are my neighbors. And they are all residents of Allentown.