Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA. September 1, 2026 – ArtsQuest, in partnership with Embassy Bank, will honor recently retired Northampton County Director of Emergency Management Services Todd K. Weaver with the 2026 ArtsQuest First Responder Valor Award during its annual Patriot Day commemoration on Friday, September 11.
The annual Patriot Day event at the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, honors the first responders, law enforcement officers, firefighters, military and emergency medical personnel who serve and protect communities throughout the Lehigh Valley. The evening will also feature our Hometown Heroes – First Responder banner display, recognizing more than 200 local First Responders for their service to the community.
“Todd has dedicated nearly four decades of his life to protecting and serving the people of the Lehigh Valley, often during some of the most challenging moments our community has faced,” said Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. “His leadership, commitment to public safety and decades of volunteer service embody exactly what the First Responder Valor Award represents. We are especially grateful for Todd’s longstanding partnership with ArtsQuest and the role he has played in helping us safely welcome millions of people to Musikfest over the years. It is an honor to recognize his extraordinary service to our community.”
Weaver began his public safety service as a teenager with the Washington Volunteer Fire Company in 1987, beginning a career dedicated to emergency response that continued for nearly four decades. He retired in February 2026 following a 29-year career with Northampton County, where he began as a 911 dispatcher in 1997, and rose through the ranks before being named the Director of Emergency Management Services in 2016.
Throughout his career, Weaver helped modernize Northampton County’s emergency communications infrastructure and led or supported the county’s response to more than a dozen federally declared disasters and emergencies, including hurricanes, major floods, severe winter weather and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, he coordinated the county’s emergency response across local, state and federal agencies, helping manage the distribution of critical supplies, testing and vaccination efforts, continuity of government and disaster recovery.
Weaver has also been a longtime public safety partner to ArtsQuest, supporting the planning and safety of Musikfest for nearly two decades. His service extends beyond his professional career: he served as Chief of the Washington Volunteer Fire Company for 17½ years and remains active with the department today as a Lieutenant and longtime Trustee. His volunteer service has also included work as an EMT and member of a water rescue dive team.
Weaver continues his work in public safety as a Senior Consultant with Essential Management Solutions, LLC. A lifelong resident of the Slate Belt, he lives in Pen Argyl.
Following the Patriot Day ceremony, The Aardvarks will take the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks stage presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health at 7:30 p.m. The longtime Lehigh Valley rock band is known for its high-energy performances blending covers and original music.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks; and the LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 2 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of close to $193 million in 2025. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.