The Bicentennial 1962

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I suppose the kindest thing I can say about this weekend's 250th celebration is nothing. Mercifully, Billy Joel's iconic tune drowned out the inane lyrics to Ed Pawlowski's new Allentown song.

So we're living well in AllentownCause it's hard to keep a good city downOh, some darker days are now behindAnd the restlessness has settled downThere's a million reasons now to stayWell we're thriving here in AllentownIt's the jewel in Pennsylvania's crownAnd we've got it all in AllentownAnd it's feeling like a brand new dayOh it's so much easier to stay

In 1962 there was no need for a revisionist song, the city was full of hope. Downtown was still thriving, and all the famous industries of Allentown were still in production. I suppose the seeds of our demise were already planted. The Whitehall Mall may have already been in the planning stages. The union legacy costs were starting to be calculated at Bethlehem Steel. Discount stores were beginning to sale cheaper clothing made off shore. In 1962 Billy Joel's song was still twenty years away. For those who prefer delusion with their morning coffee, you may prefer The Morning Call report on this weekend's 250th celebration.