The Bethlehem Star- A Core Memory

I know it's not terribly unique for a town or city to have a lit-up star on a summit or high point. There was one where I lived in Woodstock, Vermont; my roommate had one in her hometown of Hackettstown, New Jersey. But going to the star in Bethlehem, PA... THE Bethlehem Star was a truly special experience. I attended college in Bethlehem, but went to Moravian which is the lesser known college there. Up behind Lehigh University's campus is where the star could be found. You technically were not supposed to hike to the star, but we did it under the cover of night. The trail took us from the historic district of Bethlehem, where we studied, across Fahy Bridge to Southside, up to Lehigh's campus, beyond that to the radio tower, and then into the woods where the star sat shining. The star is massive and made up of many small lightbulbs. We would lay out blankets and play music, sing and dance, and have snacks under its lights (and then run from the red and blue lights if we saw them!) It was always a big trek to visit the star and we usually only did it for big occasions or celebrations. We went there the night we found got sent home for COVID and it was one of the most emotional night hikes I've ever been on.