EASTON, Pa. — While eight locations across the commonwealth unveiled their new “Let Freedom Ring” highway signs, it appears one pivotal historical Lehigh Valley city was left out of the mix.
Easton.
Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday released designs for the new “Welcome to Pennsylvania” highway signs and license plates, both featuring the beloved phrase “Let Freedom Ring.”
The new signs were installed at state border entry points to provide a welcome to visitors and residents, and to celebrate “Pennsylvania’s legacy of and commitment to advancing real freedom,” a release from Shapiro’s office states.
Both the signs and the new plates feature an image of the Liberty Bell with "Let Freedom Ring" displayed prominently.
“With all eyes on Pennsylvania as we prepare to host our country’s 250th birthday in 2026, our new license plates and welcome signs will celebrate the best of what the Commonwealth has to offer and show the country why Pennsylvania is the Great American Getaway and the birthplace of American freedom.”Governor Josh Shapiro
Eight signs have been installed thus far: on Route 15 in Adams County; Interstate 295 in Bucks County; I-90/the Ohio line in Erie County; I-70 in Fulton County; I-80 in Monroe County; Route 449 in Potter County; I-81 in Susquehanna County; and Route 1015 in Tioga County.
Twenty-nine more signs will be installed in the coming months, though there’s no word as to whether Easton will get one.
Well known as one of the first places where the Declaration of Independence was read, Easton, it appears, would be a perfect place to put one of the signs.
Considering Easton's proximity to Phillipsburg as a point of entry from New Jersey, the choice seems like a no-brainer.
Adding a bit of insult to injury, the news came just two days after Heritage Day, a celebration of Easton’s rich history featuring a reading of the Declaration.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said he has no qualms with Shapiro — far from it, in fact. Panto thinks the governor “is doing a great job, and he’s helped the city in a number of ways in his first term.”
“You know, we’ve got to do a better job of marketing in place, so we won’t hold anything against the governor,” Panto said.
He said the Poconos are “much more of a tourist destination right now,” though Easton is “working on it” in anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the country in 2026.
That aside, Panto did point out that Easton serves as a historical bedrock for the country, one attraction that could be promoted a bit better to draw more people into the city.
“There’s nothing that can beat the Colonial history of the City of Easton in the state of Pennsylvania,” Panto said.
“Next to Philadelphia, Easton was the hot spot. I mean, we had a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Easton, we had colonels from the Revolutionary Army, and the military.
"I mean, we, we really have a great Colonial history. But we don't talk about it enough, and I think that's the problem.”
Signs of celebration
According to a release from the governor’s office, “The ‘Let Freedom Ring’ designs celebrate Pennsylvania as the birthplace of American democracy and highlight the state’s leading role in the celebrations of the United States in 2026.”
“Pennsylvania is the birthplace of our democracy, and as Governor, I have been focused on advancing real freedom across the Commonwealth,” Shapiro said.
“With all eyes on Pennsylvania as we prepare to host our country’s 250th birthday in 2026, our new license plates and welcome signs will celebrate the best of what the Commonwealth has to offer and show the country why Pennsylvania is the Great American Getaway and the birthplace of American freedom.”
The designs are intended to complement the "Pennsylvania: The Great American Getaway" brand, emphasizing tourism as a key priority for Shapiro’s economic development strategy.
A report unveiled by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office in March shows Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated $76.7 billion in economic impact, supported 486,871 jobs, contributed $4.7 billion in state and local taxes, and saw 192.4 million visitors in 2022.
Now, the nearly 72 million people who live within a four-hour drive of “thousands of getaways and experiences” in the commonwealth will see the new designs upon entering Pennsylvania.
License plates and Semiquincentennials
As for those new license plates, residents can sign up to get email updates once they are ready to order in spring 2025.
Military, special organization, special fund and specialty plates without legislatively mandated designs also will be updated with the new design.
When the plates are available, residents will be able to find out how to request one from PennDOT. Additional information concerning fees and replacement instructions for the plates, along with details on customization, also will be made available on the PennDOT website.
“We were the third public reading next to Trenton and Philadelphia on July 8, and we commemorate it every year with Heritage Day, and we look to do more."Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr.
The department and its partners will use all existing standard issue license plate inventory before transitioning to the new plate design, the governor’s office stated.
Even if one of the most important cities of the commonwealth may not have a brand-new sign welcoming visitors from New Jersey — and there is plenty of time for the city to get one in the near future — Panto and the rest of Easton remain confident in their dedication to Declarations, freedom and American history.
And with the rapid approach of the U.S. semiquincentennial, everyone is gearing up to celebrate, with plans already beginning to take root in City Hall.
“We were the third public reading next to Trenton and Philadelphia on July 8, and we commemorate it every year with Heritage Day, and we look to do more," Panto said.
"Right now, we're trying to buy the Colonel Hooper House.
“We're looking forward to the to the anniversary, not only for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but also for the City of Easton.”
