The eighth annual Ben Event will take place July 14 and 15 at Macungie Memorial Park. Ben Yorgey was an Emmaus High School graduate/special needs student who died in 2009. Ben’s parents Kent and Ardyth Yorgey have established the Ben Yorgey Foundation to help graduating high school students with similar disabilities lead independent and productive lives. The event will kickoff 5:30 p.m. July 14. The Ben Event One Mile Fun Walk will be held 7:15 p.m.

Events July 15 begin with a 5K race 8:30 a.m. (registration 7 a.m.) and a half-mile kid’s run 9:20 a.m. Runners can pre-register online at active.com.

A Kids’ Fun Dash immediately follows the kids’ run. Breakfast in the Park will be held 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

A Special Olympics swim meet will begin 10:30 a.m. Ben’s Block Party will take place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with carnival games, a petting zoo, pony rides, a DaVinci Science on the Move learning station, face painting, a moon bounce, demonstrations, a ventriloquist, Princesses and Superheroes and emergency equipment. There will also be a Bear Swamp Derby starting 11 a.m. For more information about the Ben Yorgey Foundation, go to www.heyiknowyou.org.

There will be a Wheels of Time Cruise Night 3 p.m. until dark July 15 at Macungie Memorial Park. Cars can start arriving 3 p.m. Refreshments will be available.

The 54th Annual Das Awkscht Fescht, one of the country’s largest antique and classic car shows, will take place Aug. 4 through 6 at Macungie Memorial Park. Gates open 6 a.m. for walk-ins and show cars enter after 7:30 a.m. The flea market remains open until dusk and craft vendors are open until 9 p.m. Musical entertainment continues until 10:30 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6 and until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7. Fireworks will light up the sky 9:30 p.m. Aug. 5. For more information, go to www.awkscht.com.

Grace Lutheran Church will hold its Vacation Bible School “Maker Fun Factory” 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7 through 11.

The next bus trips to Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs are scheduled for July 17 and Aug. 21. Call the Macungie Memorial Park at 610-966-4289 to reserve a seat.

With warmer temperatures come the many outside events held from spring through fall at Macungie Memorial Park. Volunteers are needed to help with these events. If you are able to donate some time, call 610-966-4289 or email macungiepark@gmail.com.

The Macungie Farmers Market is open 4 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through October except Aug. 24. The market features local family farmers providing home grown food: fruits, vegetables, meat products, eggs, baked goods, plants and more. Parking is available at the park parking lot and along North Walnut Street.

Macungie Pool will be open noon to 8 p.m. May 27 to Aug. 27 weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends. On weekdays, there is Toddler Time 11 a.m. to noon. The pool will close 5 p.m. July 10 and July 19 for swim meets. Pool visitors must park outside the park Aug. 4 to 6. Swim lessons are available. For information, call 610-966-5757 or go to www.macungiepool.com.

Macungie Fire Company meets 7 p.m. July 12 at social quarters.

Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 7 p.m. July 10 at the post home on Lehigh Street.

The Ladies Auxiliary of Macungie VFW Post 9264 meets 1 p.m. July 20 at the post home.

Macungie Rod and Gun Club Board meets 7 p.m. July 20 at the club.

Macungie Borough Council meets 7:30 p.m. July 5 and 17 at borough hall, 21 Locust St., Macungie.

The Macungie Park Board of Directors meeting will be held downstairs 7 p.m. July 25. The public is welcome.

Bingo is held weekly Saturday evenings at Macungie Memorial Park. Doors open 5 p.m. and games begin 6:45 p.m. For more information, call 610-966-4289.

The next column will be published Aug. 2; copy deadline is July 27.