WDIY Celebrates 30 Years of Community Broadcasting with Special Anniversary Events at South Mountain Grove
Allentown, PA — WDIY 88.1 FM, the Lehigh Valley’s local NPR station and community broadcasting beacon, is thrilled to announce a special celebration marking 30 years of broadcasting. The station will host WDIY’s 30th Anniversary All-Star Celebration on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at South Mountain Grove in Allentown—a festive, family-friendly outdoor event under a covered pavilion.
This milestone event will showcase the best of WDIY’s vibrant volunteer and musical community with an afternoon of live performances from the WDIY All- Stars—a lineup of talented musicians who also host and produce music programs on the station. Performers include:
Dave Fry • Deejay Byg Fury • Ed Bloss & Johnny McNamara • Jack Adams Blues Band • Mike Flynn’s Woodside Avenue • Mike McMillan • Piper’s Request with John Beatty (Johnny B, Blue Moon Cruising host) • Stewart Brodian • Tavern Tan • The Druckenmillers with Norm Williams
“Our volunteers are the heart of WDIY, and many of them are also professional musicians,” said Neil Hever, WDIY’s Operations Director and one of the station’s founders. “This is their time to shine, and it’s a perfect way to celebrate three decades of community connection and creativity.”
In addition to live music, guests can enjoy complimentary food and drinks, exciting family activities, and interactive exhibits. The Da Vinci Science Center will be on site with hands-on science fun, including:
- Bubble Wands – Engineer bubble wands of different shapes and sizes to explore bubble physics.
- Plant Terrariums – Create take-home terrariums while learning what plants need to grow.
The celebration will also feature a 30-foot pirate ship courtesy of Main Deck Productions, complete with face painting and a Pirate Training Show. And for a lasting memory of the day, Dan’s Camera City will provide a photo booth for guests of all ages. The event will also have a tricky tray raffle and 50/50 drawing, with proceeds supporting WDIY’s nonprofit mission to serve and uplift the community through public radio.
This event is part of a yearlong series of special programming and community events to honor WDIY’s 30th anniversary. Since its inaugural broadcast on January 8, 1995, WDIY has grown from a grassroots vision into a vital cultural institution serving eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The station now broadcasts 35 local music programs, 25 podcasts, NPR programming, and local news and features—nearly all curated and hosted by community volunteers.
“Reflecting on these past 30 years, we are immensely proud of the community we’ve built and the diverse voices we’ve amplified,” said Hever. “Our success is a testament to the strength and passion of our volunteers and the loyalty of our listeners.”
“WDIY’s 30th anniversary is not only a celebration of our past, but a recommitment to our future,” added Margaret McConnell, Executive Director. “We’re honored to be a trusted source for music, news, and community storytelling, and we invite everyone to celebrate with us.”
Tickets to WDIY’s All-Star Celebration are available online at wdiy.org. Discounted Early Bird tickets are available through May 9th.
About WDIY:
WDIY 88.1 FM is a listener-supported, volunteer-driven public radio station based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As the Lehigh Valley’s only NPR affiliate, WDIY delivers a unique blend of national and local programming to a diverse audience across the region. Licensed to the Lehigh Valley Community Broadcasters Association, Inc., WDIY thrives on community involvement and support, living up to its motto: “Many Choices, Real Voices.” WDIY is also available on 93.9 FM in Easton/Phillipsburg, online at wdiy.org, and via the WDIY app.
Information provided to TVL by:
Shamus McGroggan
