William Hoppe

Anyone who knows the name “Hoppe” in Lehigh doesn’t have to be asked twice who he is. He has always been a character with his pirate hat and long hair and is one of the most important volunteers who sets up Veterans Park for the upcoming Lehigh Spring Festival, set to begin Friday night, March 19 at Veterans Park.

Ernie Hartman, the chairman of the Spring Festival Committee, says without Hoppe, there would be no festival. Ask any of the members and you’ll get the same response.

Hartman, who has been chairman of the Festival for several years now, at least since the death of Charles Matheny, who was chairman for nearly three decades, says this is his last year and he is going to step down as head of the committee.

“But Hoppe is like your right hand man. He knows everything about the festival and he has lots of people who volunteer. He’s know what’s going on and without him, the Festival wouldn’t be the same,” Hartman added.

Hoppe, whose first name is really William, but don’t call him that because he is “Hoppe” to everyone and Hoppe is going in all directions all the time. He may be one of the greatest multi-taskers you’ll ever meet, because he can jump from one thing to another and still be planning something else in his mind.

Hoppe with grandson, Photos by Mel Toadvine

Hoppe doesn’t seek publicity. The truth is he he runs from him.

“I do this for the people and the children of Lehigh. I love this festival. But I have volunteers and there are others on the board who work to make the Festival a success,” he said.

And when you attend the Festival, you can’t miss him because he’s everywhere keeping things going, making sure the electric is working, making sure the bleachers are where they should be and that the vendors’ tents are up and on it goes. He dashes around the Festival usually in a golf cart making sure everything is happening the way it should be. If there’s a problem, they all call Hoppe.

That’s not to take attention away from several others on the Spring Festival Board who give of their time during the nine-day festival – people like Vickie Culver, who runs the Festival Spring Idol Contest, among other things; Danny Stephenson, who emcees from the outside stage at the park and Andy Reisinger who sets up the parade for the last day of the Festival on March 27, no easy task in itself, to others on the board who give of their time, too.

But Hoppe is someone you meet who you will never forget. His family says he is always working on something. In addition to helping anyone with almost anything, he still runs his Internet web building business from home, but admits that business isn’t what it used to be and finances are tight.

If you go to lehighacresspringfestival.com, you will see the web work of a genius. Hoppe has been doing the website for years and won’t charge a dime for his work. The website is filled with forms and is interactive with viewers. All the information you need to know is at the website.

Hoppe and his small team of volunteers have been making signs, preparing tents for the vendors, making sure permits are gotten, etc. And all of last week, Hoppe was passing out big poster signs at Lehigh businesses to display on their windows. Hoppe even has one posted on his mail box pole in front of his house.

“I can’t get into the park though until the day the

festival starts. Then we go into high gear,” he laughed.

Hoppe is 48 and a grandfather and says he has a great life and he says he does what he does to give back to the community of Lehigh. He is also a musician and finds time to play at a local eatery and bar.

“I love Lehigh and its people and I want to see them have a good time at the festival,” Hoppe said.

“You have to mention some of the people who are of such help. I couldn’t do what I do without them. Put their names in the paper,” Hoppe said. They include:

his family, sons Richard and Baron and wife, Karen; Paul Chalker, Robert Reilly and his wife, Laura, Chris Burnett, Sandy Wheeler, Joe Fulmer, Joe Macchai and Tony Kelly.

“I hope I didn’t forget anyone, but these people are my crew and they work hard without pay to make the Festival a success,” Hoppe said. As he talked, his hands were busy making another sign for the Festival and making plans about what to do next. He astonishes those who work with him.

Where does he get his energy? Nobody knows. His family says that is just the way he is. Hoppe admits to having Diabetes and he’s nursing a sore on one of his feet, bad news for someone who is on his feet all the time. One of his prized possessions at his home is a tall grandfather’s clock that his granddad actually built.

“My father and my grandfather were creative people. Maybe if I am, I get it from them,” he said.

“I got to get moving here … got a lot to get done,” he said as the interview came to a quick end.