Lehigh Valley Sportsfest

Date: July 19 - 22, 2012
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Email: info@sportsfest.org
Web:  www.sportsfest.org

The purpose of Lehigh Valley SportsFest (LVSF) is to promote sports in the Lehigh Valley by offering local athletes the opportunity to compete in the sport of their choice with athletes throughout the region. Proceeds benefit inner-city high schools in the Lehigh Valley.

LVSF was founded in 1996 by Raymond Atiyeh with the full support of the City of Allentown. LVSF is held over a period of four days throughout the City of Allentown and over fields and other venues within the Lehigh Valley. LVSF not only provides local athletes the opportunity to compete but provides a revenue stream for local businesses in the Lehigh Valley throughout the days of competition. In 2008 an estimated 10,000 amateur athletes participated in LVSF with 150,000 people attending the four day event.

Since the inaugural tournament in 1997, LVSF has grown from 16 sporting events to 45. LVSF has introduced new sporting events each year to showcase the ever changing climate and population.

In addition, the historical Highland games provide the participating athletes the opportunity to showcase these ancient games in a community wide event that is not solely Celtic in concept. By showcasing these games, LVSF provides an educational venue to the community to see ancient sports and culture outside of their everyday experience.

LVSF has committed its organization to maintaining a diverse and educational focus of each sporting event and gives the athletes the opportunity to experience competition at a community wide event. By doing so it keeps the event alive and evolving.

LVSF invites athletes from the Lehigh Valley community but also from western Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Maryland and surrounding states. All events have diverse participants and by providing the venue, exposure, support and equipment, many of the athletes would not necessarily have the opportunity to compete in a high level atmosphere.