Lehigh Valley 1165886 224848092 2008-07-10T18:08:59Z PAWiki 1301032 /* External links */ + link {{otheruses}} {{Infobox Metropolitan Area |MSA_name = Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton |name = Lehigh Valley |map = lehighvalleymap.png |largest_city = [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] |other_cities = &nbsp;- [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]]<br/>&nbsp;- [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]] |rank_us = 62<sup>nd</sup> |population = 790,535 (2005 est.) |density_mi2 = |density_km2 = |area_mi2 = |area_km2 = |states = [[Pennsylvania]], [[New Jersey]] |highest_ft=2180+ <ref name="PB-PA-Cos">{{cite web |url=http://www.peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=13321 |title=Pennsylvania County High Points |accessdate=2007-01-01 |work=Peakbagger.com}}</ref> |highest_m=664+ <ref name="PB-PA-Cos" /> |lowest_ft = |lowest_m = }} The '''Lehigh Valley''', also known as the '''Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area''', is an official metropolitan region consisting of [[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Lehigh]], [[Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Northampton]] and [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon]] counties in eastern [[Pennsylvania]] and [[Warren County, New Jersey|Warren]] county on the western edge of [[New Jersey]], in the [[United States]]. The Valley is named for the [[Lehigh River]], which runs through it. ==Cities and location== The Lehigh Valley's principal cities are [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]], [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]], and [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]], comprising the [[Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton metropolitan area]]. The traditional bounds of the region are [[The Poconos]] to the north, the [[Delaware River]] to the east, the boundaries of [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]] and [[Montgomery County, Pennsylvania|Montgomery County]] to the southwest, and the boundary with [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]] to the south. More recently, however, the area around [[Phillipsburg, New Jersey]] west of [[Pohatcong Mountain]], parts of upper [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania|Bucks County]] around [[Quakertown, Pennsylvania|Quakertown]], and portions of northeastern [[Berks County, Pennsylvania|Berks County]] and southwestern [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]] in Pennsylvania are considered outer parts of the Valley. The Lehigh Valley is located approximately 50 miles (96 km) north of [[Philadelphia]], the country's sixth largest city, and 70 miles (144 km) west of [[New York City]], the country's largest city. The Valley is home to some 790,000 people. Recent census studies show it to be the fastest growing region of the state, due mostly to its growing popularity as a [[bedroom community]] for the highly-populated neighboring regions of Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City. The Lehigh Valley is [[geology|geologically]] and [[geography|geographically]] part of the [[Great Appalachian Valley]], a region largely made up of [[limestone]] that stretches along the eastern edge of the [[Appalachian Mountains]]. As such, the Valley suffers from a great number of [[sinkhole]]s, which have caused millions of dollars of property damage annually. The Lehigh Valley is so named because it comprises an actual valley that lies between two mountain ranges, [[Blue Mountain (Pennsylvania)|Blue Mountain]] to the north and [[South Mountain (eastern Pennsylvania)|South Mountain]] to the south. ===Towns with more than 10,000 people=== *[[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]] *[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]] *[[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]] *[[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]] *[[Phillipsburg, New Jersey|Phillipsburg]] ===Towns with fewer than 10,000 people=== {| |- valign=top | *[[Alburtis, Pennsylvania|Alburtis]] *[[Alpha, New Jersey|Alpha]] *[[Bangor, Pennsylvania|Bangor]] *[[Bath, Pennsylvania|Bath]] *[[Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania|Beaver Meadows]] *[[Belvidere, New Jersey|Belvidere]] | *[[Bowmanstown, Pennsylvania|Bowmanstown]] *[[Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|Catasauqua]] *[[Chapman, Pennsylvania|Chapman]] *[[Coopersburg, Pennsylvania|Coopersburg]] *[[Coplay, Pennsylvania|Coplay]] *[[East Bangor, Pennsylvania|East Bangor]] | *[[East Side, Pennsylvania|East Side]] *[[Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania|Fountain Hill]] *[[Freemansburg, Pennsylvania|Freemansburg]] *[[Glendon, Pennsylvania|Glendon]] *[[Hellertown, Pennsylvania|Hellertown]] *[[Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania|Jim Thorpe]] | *[[Lansford, Pennsylvania|Lansford]] *[[Lehighton, Pennsylvania|Lehighton]] *[[Macungie, Pennsylvania|Macungie]] *[[Nazareth, Pennsylvania|Nazareth]] *[[Neffs, Pennsylvania|Neffs]] *[[Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania|Nesquehoning]] | *[[North Catasauqua, Pennsylvania|North Catasauqua]] *[[Northampton, Pennsylvania|Northampton]] *[[Palmerton, Pennsylvania|Palmerton]] *[[Palmer Township, Pennsylvania|PalmerTownship]] *[[Parryville, Pennsylvania|Parryville]] *[[Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania|Pen Argyl]] *[[Portland, Pennsylvania|Portland]] | *[[Roseto, Pennsylvania|Roseto]] *[[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]] *[[Slatington, Pennsylvania|Slatington]] *[[Stockertown, Pennsylvania|Stockertown]] *[[Summit Hill, Pennsylvania|Summit Hill]] *[[Tatamy, Pennsylvania|Tatamy]] | *[[Walnutport, Pennsylvania|Walnutport]] *[[Washington, New Jersey|Washington]] *[[Weatherly, Pennsylvania|Weatherly]] *[[Weissport, Pennsylvania|Weissport]] *[[West Easton, Pennsylvania|West Easton]] *[[Wilson, Pennsylvania|Wilson]] | *[[Wind Gap, Pennsylvania|Wind Gap]] |} ===Census-designated places=== {| |- valign=top | *[[Allamuchy-Panther Valley, New Jersey|Allamuchy-Panther Valley]] *[[Ancient Oaks, Pennsylvania|Ancient Oaks]] *[[Beattystown, New Jersey|Beattystown]] *[[Belfast, Pennsylvania|Belfast]] *[[Brass Castle, New Jersey|Brass Castle]] | *[[Eastlawn Gardens, Pennsylvania|Eastlawn Gardens]] *[[Fullerton, Pennsylvania|Fullerton]] *[[Great Meadows-Vienna, New Jersey|Great Meadows-Vienna]] *[[Hokendauqua, Pennsylvania|Hokendauqua]] *[[Middletown, Northampton County, Pennsylvania|Middletown]] | *[[Old Orchard, Pennsylvania|Old Orchard]] *[[Oxford, New Jersey|Oxford]] *[[Palmer Heights, Pennsylvania|Palmer Heights]] *[[Pleasant Corners, Pennsylvania|Pleasant Corners]] *[[Tresckow, Pennsylvania|Tresckow]] | *[[Weissport East, Pennsylvania|Weissport East]] |} ==Climate== The Lehigh Valley has four distinct seasons, which typically include humid summers, cold winters, and very short and mild springs and falls. ==Industry== [[Image:Bethlehem Steel.jpg|thumb|375px|right|[[Bethlehem Steel]], located along the [[Lehigh River]] in the Lehigh Valley, was once one of the world's largest manufacturers of [[steel]]; it closed in 2003.]] The Lehigh Valley is known historically for its production of [[steel]], [[Portland cement]] and [[clothing|apparel]]. It has historically served as a major U.S. center of industrial manufacturing, though this role has diminished at least slightly in the 21st century as companies have shifted to [[Asia]] and other lower wage, off-shore locations for industrial mining and manufacturing. The Lehigh Valley boasts the honor of being the birthplace of the American [[Industrial Revolution]], which began in the borough of [[Catasauqua]] with the development of [[anthracite iron]]. ===Corporations=== Companies based in the Lehigh Valley include [[Air Products & Chemicals]] (in [[Trexlertown, Pennsylvania|Trexlertown]]), [[Bethlehem Steel]] (which ceased operations in [[2003]], in Bethlehem), [[Binney & Smith, Inc.]] (in Easton), [[Buckeye Pipe Line]] (in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]]), [[Just Born]] (in Bethlehem), [[Mack Trucks]] (in Allentown), [[Olympus Corporation]] USA (in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]]), [[PPL (utility)|Pennsylvania Power & Light]] (in Allentown), and [[Rodale Press]] (in Emmaus). The Lehigh Valley is also one of the larger areas on the east coast for the location of [[warehouse]]s and [[distribution center]]s. This is due to the Lehigh Valley's central location in the [[BosWash]] [[megalopolis]]. Most of these distribution centers are located along the [[U.S. Route 22]] and [[Interstate 78]] corridors. After the 2003 demise of Bethlehem Steel, [[Lehigh Valley Hospital|Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network]] (in Allentown), one of Pennsylvania's largest hospital systems, has taken Bethlehem Steel's place as the Lehigh Valley's largest employer. The Lehigh Valley's top five employers are: 1.) Lehigh Valley Hospital, 2.) St. Luke's Hospital (in Bethlehem), 3.) Air Products & Chemicals (in Allentown), 4.) the [[Federal government of the United States|Federal Government]], and 5.) PPL Corporation (in Allentown). ===Media=== ====Television==== Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon Counties receive television service from Philadelphia, New York City and [[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]]/[[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Wilkes Barre]]. Warren County gets most of its television from New York City. Lehigh Valley-based television stations include: *[[WBPH-TV]], an independent television station (licensed to Bethlehem but based in Allentown). *[[WFMZ-TV]], an independent television station (based in Allentown). *[[WLVT-TV]], a [[Public Broadcasting Station|PBS]] station (licensed to Allentown but based in Bethlehem). ====Radio==== The Lehigh Valley is within the broadcasting range of most Philadelphia and New York City-based stations. Radio stations based in the Lehigh Valley include: *[[WAEB (AM)|WAEB-AM]], a [[talk radio|news, talk, and sports station]] (based in Allentown), owned by [[Clear Channel Communications]], at 790 AM. *[[WAEB-FM]] ("B104"), a [[Top 40 (radio format)|contemporary/Top 40 music station]] (based in Allentown), owned by [[Clear Channel Communications]], at 104.1 FM. *[[WCTO]] ("Cat Country 96"), a [[country music]] station (based in Easton), owned by [[Citadel Broadcasting]], at 96.1 FM. *[[WDIY]], a [[National Public Radio]] affiliate (based in Bethlehem), owned by Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association, Inc., at 88.1 FM. *WJRH, a [[Lafayette College]] radio station (based in Easton), at 104.9 FM. *[[WLEV]], a contemporary [[soft rock|soft rock music station]] (based in Allentown), owned by [[Citadel Broadcasting]], at 100.7 FM. *[[WLVR-FM|WLVR]], a [[Lehigh University]] radio station (based in Bethlehem), at 91.3 FM. *[[WMUH]], a [[Muhlenberg College]] radio station (based in Allentown), at 91.7 FM. *[[WODE-FM]] ("The Hawk"), a [[classic rock|classic rock music station]] (based in Easton), owned by [[Nassau Broadcasting Partners]], at 99.9 FM. *[[WSAN]], a [[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] radio station and the Lehigh Valley affiliate for [[Philadelphia Phillies]] radio broadcasts (based in Allentown), owned by [[Clear Channel Communications]], at 1470 AM. *[[WWYY]] ("The Bone"), an [[Active Rock|active rock music station]] (based in Belvidere), owned by [[Nassau Broadcasting Partners]], at 107.1 FM. *[[WXLV]], a Lehigh Carbon Community College radio station (based in Schnecksville), at 90.3 FM. *[[WZZO]], a [[hard rock|hard rock music station]] (based in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]]), owned by [[Clear Channel Communications]], at 95.1 FM. ====Print media==== Lehigh Valley-based daily newspapers include ''[[The Morning Call]]'' (in Allentown), which is owned by the [[Tribune Company]], and ''[[The Express-Times]]'' (in Easton), the Valley's second largest circulation newspaper, which is owned by [[Advance Publications]]. Both daily newspapers have rich traditions, with their foundings dating back to the mid-1800s. With their foundings in [[1883]] and [[1855]], respectively, they are the Valley's two longest standing periodicals. As of 2007, ''The Morning Call'' is ranked as the 84th largest Sunday circulation newspaper in the nation, with 147,696 Sunday readers (93rd daily, with 108,886).<ref>[http://www.burrellesluce.com/top100/2007_Top_100List.pdf "2007 Top 100 Daily Newspapers in the U.S. by Circulation]</ref> The Lehigh Valley also features ''[[Pulse Weekly]]'', a weekly regional arts and entertainment publication. Also, ''The Times News'', based in [[Lehighton, Pennsylvania|Lehighton]] (in [[Carbon County, Pennsylvania|Carbon County]]), recently opened a Bethlehem edition that covers the Lehigh Valley. ===Wine=== The [[Lehigh Valley AVA]] was designated an official [[American Viticultural Area]] in March, 2008. The wine region includes {{convert|230|acre|ha|0}} of [[vineyard]]s, planted to several ''[[Vitis vinifera]]'' and [[hybrid grapes|French-American hybrid]] [[grape]] [[variety (biology)|varieties]]. Fifteen to twenty percent of the wine produced commercially in Pennsylvania is made from grapes grown in the Lehigh Valley AVA.<ref name="lauer-williams">Lauer-Williams, Kathy (2008). [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08108/873927-34.stm "Lehigh Valley wineries earn recognition"]. ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]''. Apr. 17, 2008.</ref> ==Education== ===Colleges and universities=== The Lehigh Valley is a center of post-secondary education, with seven four-year colleges and universities. These include: [[Cedar Crest College]] (in Allentown), [[DeSales University]] (in Center Valley), [[Lafayette College]] (in Easton), [[Lehigh University]] (in Bethlehem), [[Moravian College]] (in Bethlehem), [[Muhlenberg College]] (in Allentown), and [[Penn State Lehigh Valley]] (in [[Fogelsville, Pennsylvania|Fogelsville]]). The Lehigh Valley is also home to three two-year colleges: Lehigh Carbon Community College (with campuses in Allentown, Carbon County and [[Schnecksville, Pennsylvania|Schnecksville]]), [[Lehigh Valley College]] (in Allentown), and [[Northampton Community College]] (with campuses in [[Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem Township]] and [[Monroe County, Pennsylvania|Monroe County]]). ===High school education=== As the third most populous metropolitan region in Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley is served by numerous school districts, public and private high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. Lehigh Valley-based high schools include: *[[William Allen High School|Allen High School]] (Allentown) *[[Allentown Central Catholic High School]] (in Allentown) *[[Bangor Area High School]], (in [[Upper Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Mount Bethel Township]]) *[[Bethlehem Catholic High School]] (in Bethlehem) *[[Catasauqua High School]] (in Northampton) *[[Louis E. Dieruff High School|Dieruff High School]] (in Allentown) *[[Easton Area High School]] (in [[Palmer Township, Pennsylvania|Palmer Township]]) *[[Emmaus High School]] (in Emmaus) *[[Freedom High School (Pennsylvania)|Freedom High School]] (in [[Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania|Bethelehem Township]]) *[[Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Performing Arts]] (in Bethlehem) *[[Lehigh Valley Christian High School]] (in Allentown) *[[Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)|Liberty High School]] (in Bethlehem) *[[Moravian Academy]] (in Bethlehem) *[[Nazareth Area High School]] (in Nazareth) *[[Northampton Area High School]] (in Northampton) *[[Northern Lehigh High School]] (in Slatington) *[[Northwestern Lehigh High School]] (in [[New Tripoli, Pennsylvania|New Tripoli]]) *[[Notre Dame High School (Easton, Pennsylvania)|Notre Dame High School]] (in Bethlehem Township) *[[Parkland High School (Allentown, Pennsylvania)|Parkland High School]] (in [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]]) *[[Pen Argyl Area High School]] (in Pen Argyl) *[[Phillipsburg High School (New Jersey)|Phillipsburg High School]] (in Phillipsburg) *[[Pius X High School (Pennsylvania)|Pius X High School]] (in Bangor) *[[Roberto Clemente Charter School]] (in Allentown) *[[Salisbury High School (Pennsylvania)|Salisbury High School]] (in [[Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Salisbury Township]]) *[[Saucon Valley High School]] (in Hellertown) *[[Southern Lehigh High School]] (in [[Center Valley, Pennsylvania|Center Valley]]) *[[Whitehall High School (Pennsylvania)|Whitehall High School]] (in [[Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|Whitehall Township]]) *[[Wilson Area High School]] (in Wilson) The largest Lehigh Valley high schools (12 in all) compete athletically in the [[Lehigh Valley Conference]], widely considered one of the most competitive athletic divisions in the state and nation. Most of the smaller schools compete in the Colonial League, also very competitive throughout the state, especially in [[American football|football]]. ==Famous people from the Lehigh Valley== The Lehigh Valley is the birthplace or home to a number of famous Americans, including: *[[Mario Andretti]], former professional race car driver. *[[Michael Andretti]], professional racing team owner, former professional race car driver. *[[Chuck Bednarik]], former professional football player, [[Philadelphia Eagles]], [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] member. *[[Stephen Vincent Benét]], author. *[[Leon Carr]], [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] composer and television advertising songwriter. *[[Jack Coleman]], actor, [[NBC]]'s ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]'' . *[[Michaela Conlin]], actress, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]''. *[[H.D.]], writer, poet. *[[Jimmy DeGrasso]], former drummer, [[Megadeth]]. *[[Charlie Dent]], member of [[Congress of the United States|Congress]]. *[[Devon (porn star)|Devon]], adult film actress. *[[Keith Dorney]], former professional football player, [[Detroit Lions]]. *[[Jonathan Frakes]], actor, ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''. *[[Peter Gruner]], professional wrestler. *[[Bob Heffner]], former professional baseball player, [[Boston Red Sox]], [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|California Angels]] and [[Cleveland Indians]]. *[[Larry Holmes]], former boxing heavyweight champion. *[[Lee Iacocca]], former chairman, [[Chrysler]] Corporation. *[[Keith Jarrett]], jazz musician. *[[Michael Johns (executive)|Michael Johns]], health care executive, former [[White House]] speechwriter. *[[The Rock (entertainer)|Dwayne Johnson ("The Rock")]], actor, former professional wrestler. *[[Daniel Dae Kim]], actor, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]''. *[[Steve Kimock]], rock musician. *[[John Kline (politician)|John Kline]], member of [[Congress of the United States|Congress]]. *[[Dan Koppen]], professional football player, [[New England Patriots]]. *[[Brian Knobbs]], former professional wrestler. *[[Carson Kressley]], fashion consultant, [[Bravo (television network)|Bravo]]'s ''[[Queer Eye for the Straight Guy]]''. *[[William Marchant]], playwright and screenwriter. *[[Kristen Maloney]], [[gymnastics|gymnast]], former [[Olympic Games|Olympian]]. *[[Ed McCaffrey]], former professional football player, [[Denver Broncos]], [[New York Giants]], and [[San Francisco 49ers]]. *[[Matt Millen]], former professional football player, [[Oakland Raiders]], [[San Francisco 49ers]] and [[Washington Redskins]], current President and General Manager, [[Detroit Lions]]. *[[Lara Jill Miller]], voice actress, [[Cartoon Network]]'s ''[[The Life and Times of Juniper Lee]]''. *[[Marty Nothstein]], [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medal winner, track cycling. *[[Andre Reed]], former professional football player, [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[Washington Redskins]]. *[[Daniel Roebuck]], actor, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]''. *[[Brian Schneider]], professional baseball player, [[New York Mets]]. *[[Amanda Seyfried]], model and actress, [[The CW Television Network|The CW]]'s ''[[Veronica Mars]]'' and [[HBO]]'s ''[[Big Love]]''. *[[Sheetal Sheth]], actress, ''[[Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World]]''. *[[Curt Simmons]], former professional baseball player, [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim|California Angels]], [[Chicago Cubs]], [[Philadelphia Phillies]] and [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. *[[Dana Snyder]], voice actor, [[Cartoon Network]]'s ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''. *[[Christine Taylor]], actress, wife of actor [[Ben Stiller]]. *[[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]], actor, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Home Improvement]]''. *[[Boris Vallejo]], artist. *[[Lauren Weisberger]], author, ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (novel)|The Devil Wears Prada]]''. *[[Cindy Werley]], former Olympic field hockey player. *[[Dan Yochum]], former professional football player, [[Montreal Alouettes]] and [[Edmonton Eskimos]]. *[[David Zippel]], Tony-award winning lyricist, ''[[City of Angels (musical)|City of Angels]].'' ==Athletics and entertainment== {| class="wikitable" |- ! scope="col" | Club ! scope="col" | League ! scope="col" | Venue ! scope="col" | Established ! scope="col" | Championships |- ! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]] | [[International League|PL]], Baseball | [[Coca-Cola Park]] | 2008 | 0 |- ! scope="row" style="font-weight: normal;" | [[Lehigh Valley Outlawz]] | [[Continental Indoor Football League|CIFL]], Indoor football | [[Stabler Arena]] | 2004 | 0 |} ===Philadelphia Eagles=== The Lehigh Valley is the home of pre-season training camp for the [[National Football League|NFL's]] [[Philadelphia Eagles]], which is held each summer on the practice fields of Lehigh University in Bethlehem. The camp, which attracted in excess of 20,000 fans daily in July 2007, draws some of the largest crowds of any NFL team's pre-season camp. ===IronPigs baseball=== In early 2008, [[Coca-Cola Park]], an 8,100-seat [[Minor League Baseball|Minor League baseball]] stadium, opened in east-side Allentown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ironpigsbaseball.com/cocacola/stadiuminfo/ |title= Coca-Cola Park Info, IronPigs Baseball Official Website|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> The stadium hosts the [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]], the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]' AAA-level [[International League]] franchise. The team previously played as the [[Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees| Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons]] (1989-2006) and [[Ottawa Lynx]] (2007).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Scranton/Wilkes-Barre_Red_Barons |title= Baseball Reference Bullpen: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons |accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> The club's move to the Lehigh Valley brought the franchise closer to Philadelphia and the Phillies' large eastern Pennsylvania fan base. The team’s name is a reference to [[pig iron]], a key ingredient in the [[steel]]-making process for which the Lehigh Valley area is known worldwide. Groundbreaking ceremonies for Coca-Cola Park were held September 6, 2006, and construction was completed in December 2007. The stadium hosted its first game on March 30, 2008, when the Phillies major league team faced the IronPigs. ===Stabler Arena=== Lehigh University's [[Stabler Arena]], an indoor arena, is in Bethlehem, in the Lehigh Valley. Stabler hosts regular sporting and concert events. The arena is home to Lehigh University men's and women's [[college basketball]] teams and also to the [[Lehigh Valley Outlawz]], an indoor football team that plays in the [[Continental Indoor Football League]]. On April 17, 2007, the eastern Pennsylvania [[grunge music]] group [[Breaking Benjamin]] released their first live DVD, which is a full recording of the group's February 11, 2007 "homecoming" concert at Stabler. The stadium also has been featured in numerous [[music video]]s, most recently including Breaking Benjamin's number one hit "[[Breath (Breaking Benjamin song)|Breath]]".<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ3qJmgktS0 Breaking Benjamin, "Breath" video, YouTube.]</ref> ==="The Rivalry": Lehigh vs. Lafayette=== The Lehigh Valley is also home to a strong collegiate football rivalry, between two Lehigh Valley colleges: Easton's [[Lafayette College]] and Bethlehem's [[Lehigh University]]. The two teams, located a mere 17 miles a part, have played each other for 142 times since [[1884]], making it the longest-running, uninterrupted series in all of [[college football]]. For this reason, the game is often referred to regionally as simply "[[Lehigh-Lafayette football games (The Rivalry)|The Rivalry]]". In the 142-game series, Lafayette currently leads with 75 wins to Lehigh's 62. The two teams also have played to a tie on five occasions. ===High school athletics=== The 12 largest high schools in the Lehigh Valley compete athletically in the [[Lehigh Valley Conference]], one of the most competitive high school athletic divisions in the nation. The conference is well known as a top recruiting target for the [[National Football League]], [[National Basketball Association]], and [[Major League Baseball]] and has produced numerous professional and [[Olympic Games|Olympic]]-level athletes. Lehigh Valley Conference football, basketball and wrestling teams are very commonly ranked as the nation's best and typically draw large and ethusiastic Lehigh Valley crowds. Currently, six former athletes from Lehigh Valley Conference schools are on active professional athletic rosters, including four in the National Football League ([[Dan Koppen]], [[New England Patriots]] center from [[Whitehall High School (Pennsylvania)|Whitehall High School]]; [[Tim Massaquoi]], [[Buffalo Bills]] tight end from [[Parkland High School (Allentown, Pennsylvania)|Parkland High School]]; [[Jim Molinaro]], [[Dallas Cowboys]] offensive tackle from [[Bethlehem Catholic High School]]; and [[Tony Stewart (American football)|Tony Stewart]], [[Oakland Raiders]] tight end from [[Allentown Central Catholic High School]]); one in the National Basketball Association ([[Aaron Gray]], [[Chicago Bulls]] center from [[Emmaus High School]]); and one in Major League Baseball ([[Brian Schneider]], [[New York Mets]] catcher from [[Northampton Area High School]]). ===Running Events=== The Lehigh Valley hosts the [[Lehigh Valley 15K Road Race]] annually each September. It is one of the premiere eastern Pennsylvania running events. ==Arts== The [[Allentown Art Museum]], based in center city Allentown, is the Lehigh Valley's largest museum. The museum carries over 11,000 works of art. Lehigh University's [[Zoellner Arts Center]] and Lafayette College's smaller Williams Center for the Arts host a wide variety of plays, concerts and performances throughout the year. ===Lehigh Valley in popular music=== The Lehigh Valley is the subject of four [[rock music]] songs, one [[folk music]] song and one [[ska]] reggae album: *"[[Cheeses...(of Nazareth)]]," an album by [[Five Iron Frenzy]] (2003). *"Speedway at Nazareth," a song by [[Mark Knopfler]] (appears on ''[[Sailing to Philadelphia]]'') (2000). *"[[Allentown (song)|Allentown]]," a song by [[Billy Joel]] (appears on ''[[The Nylon Curtain]]'') (1982). *"200 Years Old," a song by [[Frank Zappa]] (appears on ''[[Bongo Fury]]'') (1975). *"[[The Weight]]," a song by [[The Band]] (appears on ''[[Music from Big Pink]])'' (1968). *"[[Allentown Jail]]," a song by [[Irving Gordon]] and recorded by [[Jo Stafford]] (1951). ==Recreation== The Lehigh Valley is home to [[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]], a popular amusement and [[water park]]. Located in [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]], Dorney Park is known nationally for its elaborate [[roller coaster]]s and water rides. [[Image:Dorney Park Steel Force Thunderhawk.jpg|thumb|right|335px|[[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom|Dorney Park's]] [[Steel Force (roller coaster)|Steel Force]] and [[Thunderhawk (Dorney Park)|Thunderhawk]] roller coasters, in [[South Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania|South Whitehall Township]].]] The region's [[ski resorts]] are Bear Creek Ski and Recreation Area and [[Blue Mountain Ski Area]]. Bear Creek is a 21 slope resort located outside of [[Macungie, Pennsylvania]]. Blue Mountain is located near [[Danielsville, Pennsylvania]]. [[The Poconos]], which feature some of the East Coast's best-known [[skiing|ski]] resorts, is approximately 30 miles north of the Lehigh Valley. Several large lakes used for boating and fishing also are located there. The [[Pocono 500]], a NASCAR [[Nextel Cup]] race, is run each June at [[Pocono Raceway]] in the Poconos. [[Jersey Shore|New Jersey shore]] beaches are approximately 45 miles east of the Lehigh Valley. [[Dutch Springs]], the nation's largest SCUBA amusement park, is located in Bethlehem and Lower Nazareth Township. Over 40,000 divers annually utilize the facilities, which have sunken "treasures" to enhance the underwater experience. In addition to scuba diving, kayaking and paddle boats are available. The facility has a water park, camping grounds, and picnic areas. In 2009, [[Sands BethWorks]], a casino, hotel and apartment complex owned by the [[Las Vegas Sands]] is scheduled to open in Bethlehem, bringing legalized gambling to the Lehigh Valley for the first time. Four large festivals are held each year in the Lehigh Valley. [[Musikfest]], a large, 10-day music festival, is held in Bethlehem each August. Mayfair, an arts and crafts festival, is held in Allentown each May. In September, one of the largest celtic heritage festivals in America, The Celtic Classic, is held in Bethlehem. The Great Allentown Fair has been held on the grounds of the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown annually in late August through early September for more than 150 years. ==Retail== The Lehigh Valley is home to many [[retail]] establishments. The largest [[retail]] area of the Lehigh Valley is the [[Pennsylvania Route 145]]/MacArthur Road Corridor, just north of [[Allentown, Pennsylvania|Allentown]]. It is anchored by the [[Lehigh Valley Mall]] and the Whitehall Mall. Other malls in the region include Palmer Park Mall (in [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]]), Phillipsburg Mall (in [[Phillipsburg, New Jersey]]), South Mall (in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania|Emmaus]]), and the Westgate Mall (in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania|Bethlehem]]). In October 2006, a new Valley-based shopping mall, [[The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley]], was opened. Located off [[Pennsylvania Route 309|Route 309]] in [[Upper Saucon Township, Pennsylvania|Upper Saucon Valley Township]], it is roughly half the size of the Lehigh Valley Mall, but features more upscale stores. [[Yocco's Hot Dogs]], the regionally-famous fast food establishment known for their [[hot dog]]s and [[cheesesteak]]s, maintains six locations, all of which are based in the Lehigh Valley. Its original restaurant, founded in 1922, is still located at its original center city Allentown location, on West Liberty Street. Four additional Yocco's locations can be found in the Lehigh Valley (in west-side Allentown, east-side Allentown, Emmaus, [[Fogelsville, Pennsylvania|Fogelsville]], and [[Wescosville, Pennsylvania|Wescosville]]). ==Transportation== ;Air transportation The Lehigh Valley is served by air transportation through [[Lehigh Valley International Airport]] {{Airport codes|ABE|KABE}}, located in the Lehigh Valley's [[Hanover Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania|Hanover Township]], three miles northeast of Allentown. Other regionally-located airports include [[Philadelphia International Airport]] (in Philadelphia), [[Newark Liberty International Airport]] (in [[Newark, New Jersey]]), [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]] (in [[Jamaica, Queens]]) and [[LaGuardia Airport]] (in [[Flushing, Queens]]). ;Bus transportation Private bus companies provide multiple daily roundtrip transportation to [[Port Authority Bus Terminal|New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal]], [[Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal|Philadelphia's Greyhound Terminal]], [[Atlantic City Bus Terminal|Atlantic City's Bus Terminal]] and other regional locations. Public bus service within The Valley is provided by [[Lehigh And Northampton Transportation Authority|LANTA]], which serves Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and the cities' suburbs with various routes. ;Rail Passenger service to the region ceased in 1981, when several rail operators opted to curtail long-distance services. From the south, [[SEPTA Regional Rail]] limited their services to their electrified-only territory, with trains going only as far north as [[Lansdale, Pennsylvania|Lansdale]] and [[Doylestown, Pennsylvania]]. To the east, the [[Central Railroad of New Jersey]] ceased operations into Pennsylvania in 1972. Current operator [[New Jersey Transit]] has looked at restoring rail service as far west as [[Phillipsburg, New Jersey]]; there are no plans to extend service over the border into Pennsylvania at present. Currently, freight operator [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] heavily serves the region, with a major [[classification yard]] in Allentown. ;Roads The Lehigh Valley has four major highways: [[Interstate 78]], a major east-west highway, runs through the southern part of the Valley, duplexed with [[Pennsylvania Route 309]]. I-78 runs from [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania|Harrisburg]] in the west to the [[Holland Tunnel]] and [[New York City]] in the east. [[U.S. Route 22]] is a major freeway that runs through the Valley from [[Kuhnsville, Pennsylvania|Kuhnsville]] in the western part of the Valley to [[Easton, Pennsylvania|Easton]] in the eastern part of the Valley. U.S. Route 22 starts in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]] in the west, running through the Valley to [[Elizabeth, New Jersey]] in the east. A third highway, [[Pennsylvania Route 33]], runs north-south through the Lehigh Valley, from the Poconos in the north to Northampton County in the south. The fourth major highway in the Valley is [[Interstate 476]], the Northeast Extension of the [[Pennsylvania Turnpike]]. It stretches 131&nbsp;miles from [[Chester, Pennsylvania|Chester]] in the south to the [[Scranton]]-[[Wilkes-Barre]] in the north. Other major roads in the Valley include [[Pennsylvania Route 145|MacArthur Road (PA 145)]], a divided local road that leads to the [[Lehigh Valley Mall]] and its surrounding commercial district. [[Cedar Crest Boulevard]], a north-south highway, runs from North Whitehall Township in the north through west-side Allentown to Emmaus in the south. [[Lehigh Street]] runs from northeast to southwest, originating in downtown Allentown and ending in Emmaus. [[Tilghman Street (Allentown, Pennsylvania)|Tilghman Street]] runs from [[Fogelsville, Pennsylvania|Fogelsville]] in the west to MacArthur Road (PA 145) in the east. Tilghman Street runs through most of Allentown and also intersects with Cedar Crest Boulevard, [[Pennsylvania Route 100]], Pennsylvania Route 309 and several other major Lehigh Valley highways. ==County statistics== {|style="width:99%" frame="box" rules="all" cellpadding="2" |-style="background-color:#CCFFFF;text-align:center;" !Geographic Area !July 1, 2005 ![[United States Census, 2000|Census 2000]] ![[United States Census, 1990|1990 Census]] ![[United States Census, 1980|1980 Census]] ![[United States Census, 1970|1970 Census]] |- |'''Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ MSA |'''790,535''' |'''740,395''' |'''686,688''' |'''635,481''' |'''594,382''' |- |[[Carbon County, Pennsylvania]] |61,959 |58,802 |56,846 |53,285 |50,573 |- |[[Lehigh County, Pennsylvania]] |330,433 |312,090 |291,130 |272,349 |255,304 |- |[[Northampton County, Pennsylvania]] |287,767 |267,066 |247,105 |225,418 |214,368 |- |[[Warren County, New Jersey]] |110,376 |102,437 |91,607 | | |- |[[Allentown, Pennsylvania]] |105,231 |106,632 |105,090 | | |- |[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]] |68,114 |71,329 |71,428 | | |- |[[Easton, Pennsylvania]] | |26,263 |26,276 | | |} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/ Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce]. *[http://www.lehighvalleypa.org/ Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau]. *[http://www.mcall.com/news/local/ Lehigh Valley news at ''The (Allentown) Morning Call'' newspaper]. *[http://www.lehighvalleypaonline.com/ Lehigh Valley Online]. *[http://www.lehighvalleypa.org/ LehighValleyPA.org]. *[http://www.lvpc.org/ Lehigh Valley Planning Commission]. *[http://www.mcall.com/community/guide/community/ "Living in the Greater Lehigh Valley," by ''The Allentown Morning Call'']. {{Colleges and universities in the Lehigh Valley}} {{High Schools in the Lehigh Valley}} {{Lehigh Valley Travel|state=collapsed}} {{Pennsylvania}} [[Category:Lehigh County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Lehigh Valley|*]] [[Category:Northampton County, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Warren County, New Jersey]] [[fr:Aire métropolitaine d'Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton]]