ArtsQuest and Embassy Bank Honor Local Heroes at Patriot Day 2025
Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. September 10, 2025 – ArtsQuest, in partnership with Embassy Bank, will host a Patriot Day event on Saturday, September 13. Join us at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health as we honor the countless individuals in the Lehigh Valley who put themselves in harm’s way every day. This event recognizes and celebrates our nation’s first responders, law enforcement agencies, firefighters, military and emergency medical personnel. Highlighting the evening is our Hometown Heroes – First Responder banner display, showcasing over 200 amazing First Responders who make a difference in our community day-in and day-out.
This year, ArtsQuest is presenting the 2025 ArtsQuest First Responder Valor Award to both Officer Andrew Wirth and Officer Joshua Hobson for their heroic actions during the fire at the 510 Flats apartment building on May 2, 2025. While many First Responders came together from all over the area in response, ArtsQuest and Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott want to recognize Officer Wirth and Officer Hobson for their selfless and heroic actions in assisting a resident who was unable to safely evacuate the building on their own. Please join us in thanking them for their dedication to the community.
Officer Andrew Wirth joined the Bethlehem Police Department five years ago with a passion for serving the community. Recently appointed as the School Resource Officer for Liberty High School, he is dedicated to mentoring youth and being a positive role model while continuing to help make Bethlehem a safe and strong community.
Officer Joshua Hobson has served with the Bethlehem Police Department for more than 13 years. Inspired by early mentors in law enforcement, he has built lasting relationships throughout his career – mentoring young people, supporting residents in difficult times and continuously working to strengthen connections between officers and the community. While one of his main goals is to educate and inspire the youth and continue watching those individuals lead successful lives, Officer Hobson aspires to become a Sergeant before retirement (but is not in a hurry to do so) as he plans to continue serving Bethlehem for years to come.
Following the ceremony, The Aardvarks will take the Levitt Pavilion stage presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network part of Jefferson Health at 7:30 p.m. Performing over ten years, the Aardvarks have become the premier rock band of the Lehigh Valley, mixing time periods and styles of covers and original music into their non-stop, high-energy sets.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 40 percent are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.
