“It’s gone really well the last few years with the events that we have,” said Sadie Andersen, Lehigh River Days Committee president.

So the four-person River Days committee has found that keeping with those well-loved events works best.

A highlight of this year’s two-day celebration will be the return of White Rock, a five-member band that originated in Lehigh in the ’80s.

“We originally tried to have them for a reunion show three years ago and it got rained out,” said Andersen.

-Messenger file photo
Grace Brundage, then 10, of Lehigh, right, goes in to help return a serve during the mud volleyball tournament at the 2025 Lehigh River Days Celebration. Her team called themselves “Shank That Bootie.”

So this year, the committee has a backup plan. Rain or shine, the show will go on, with the group taking the stage down by the river at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Other popular activities will include a glow volleyball tournament, glow activities for kids, bounce houses and the Lehigh River Days pageant.

“We will have a couple of food trucks, a dirty soda truck, and then of course a parade at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday,” added Andersen.

All entries are welcome. Those who want to participate may line up at 9:45 a.m. on East Main Street Saturday morning.

But for the mud and glow volleyball tournaments, Andersen said teams should register ahead of time.

“Last year, we didn’t get done with glow volleyball until 3 in the morning,” she said.

Though River Days events officially end Saturday night, Andersen said the Lions Club is holding its “fantastic” pancake breakfast Sunday morning, while the Methodist Church is hosting a community church service.

Anderson encourages everyone to come out to experience Lehigh River Days this weekend, and hopes they find what locals already know.

“I hope they find that even though Lehigh is somewhat what most would consider a dying town, that we have a lot of people that still care and a community to back us,” she said. “It’s still a fun, safe place to live. We have a good sense of community, regardless.”

Lehigh River Days Schedule

Friday

5:30 p.m.: Little Miss and Mr. River Days Pageant

6 p.m.: Bounce houses and food at the shelter

7 p.m.: Bags tournament (sign up begins at 6 p.m.)

7:30 p.m.: Glow volleyball (Sign up at 7:30 p.m., starts at dark)

9 p.m.: Glow sports for kids at dark

Saturday

7 a.m.: Lehigh River Days 5K (at the ball park)

10:30 a.m.: Parade (line up on East Main Street at 9:45 a.m.)

12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Methodist Church Rummage Sale

12 p.m.: Log roll competition (sign up at 11 a.m.)

12:30 p.m.: Mud volleyball (sign up at 11:30 a.m.)

12 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Bounce houses and other fun activities

8 p.m.: Music by White Rock at the river

Sunday

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Lions Club Breakfast

10:30 a.m.: Worship service at Lehigh United Methodist Church

To preregister for glow volleyball, mud volleyball, and the log roll, contact Crystal Dorman at 515-890-7445.

To sign up for the bags tournament, call 515 570-4682.