Allentown is located in the county of Lehigh, Pennsylvania, USA. This city is the 3rd most heavily populated in the the state of Pennsylvania, following after Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It ranks as the 215th biggest city within the USA. Currently, it is the fastest growing city in Pennsylvania with a total population of around 118,032 as of the year 2010. Allentown is also the county seat of Lehigh County.
The city of Allentown is among 3 adjacent cities that make up the Lehigh Valley. This is a region of Eastern Pennsylvania and Western New Jersey which is located on the Lehigh River and Allentown is the largest amongst these 3 cities. Harrisburg is the state capital and Allentown is located 80 miles or 130 km east of this city and 90 miles or 140 km west of the city of New York and 97 km or 60 miles north of Philadelphia.
Some well known establishments in the area comprise Wildwater Kingdom and Dorney Park, a very popular amusement park is situated just on the outskirts of the city of Allentown. Muhlenberg College and Cedar Crest College are two four-year colleges also situated in Allentown.
The Lehigh Valley International Airport or likewise called LVIA provides commercial airline service from the city of Allentown. The Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport also offers charter service and general aviation services as well as LVIA.
Manufacturing has long been and continues to be the primary economic driver in the region. The city of Allentown serves as corporate head office site for various international companies including Air Products Chemicals, PPL as well as others. The Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network is the biggest business in the city with more than 7800 workers.
Mack Trucks had been in the city of Allentown for more than 100 years, when the company announced during 2008 to move their corporate headquarters to Greensboro, within the state of North Carolina the following year. Mack still operates a major manufacturing facility in the neighboring Lower Macungie Township. It is estimated that the move cost about 600 individuals their jobs.
Until the mid 1970s the primary shopping district within Allentown City was the Center City area along Hamilton Street between 10th and 5th Streets. The "Downtown" as it was referred to was anchored at 9th and Hamilton by Hess's, on 7th and Hamilton by H. Leh and Company and on 6th and Hamilton by the department stores of Zollinger and Harned. There were many retail stores along Hamilton Street as well as a variety of restaurants, lunch counters, movie theatres and large banks.
In 1986, an arts and crafts festival was established known as the Mayfair Festival of the Arts. This yearly event is held each year at Cedar Beach Park in the city of Allentown each and every month of May. During early month of September of each year, the Great Allentown Fair has been held ever since the year 1889 on the grounds of the Allentown Fairgrounds. During the year 1852, the first Allentown Fair was hosted. This fair was held at the "Old Allentown Fairgrounds" between the years 1852 and 1899. The grounds were located between 5th and 6th Streets north of Liberty Street. Furthermore, every year, the J. Birney Crum Stadium plays host to the Collegiate Marching Band Festival as well as other competitions. This Festival has been another local event since the year 1995.