The stadium is named after J. Birney Crum, a legendary coach who spent 40 years leading Allentown High School's football, basketball, and baseball teams.
It has served as a consistent host for the DCI Eastern Classic since 1973, bringing thousands of visitors to the city each summer.
The facility was constructed in the late 1940s and features a distinctive natural bowl topography that enhances stadium acoustics.
The stadium grounds are directly connected to the broader recreational network of Cedar Beach Park, which includes public pools and trails.
J. Birney Crum Stadium is a historic multi-purpose outdoor facility located within Cedar Beach Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The venue features a synthetic turf playing surface surrounded by a traditional running track and permanent concrete seating tiers. It serves as a primary site for high school football games, track and field meets, and regional athletic competitions. The stadium is famously known for hosting the Drum Corps International (DCI) Eastern Classic, a major annual event in the marching arts circuit. Its infrastructure includes stadium lighting for night events and designated locker room facilities for competing teams. The stadium's bowl-style seating design offers unobstructed views of the field from most sections. It remains a central fixture for community sports and large-scale public outdoor gatherings in the Lehigh Valley.
The top row of the central seating area provides an expansive panoramic view of the entire field and the surrounding park canopy.
Bring a seat cushion, as the concrete stadium benches can be uncomfortable during long events.
Check local event calendars before visiting, as the facility is often closed to the public during high school tournaments and ticketed performances.
Prepare for minimal shade in the seating area; wear sunscreen and hats during daytime summer events.
Do not attempt to access the track or field surface when gates are locked or maintenance crews are present.
The stadium is primarily utilized during the fall for football and the summer for marching arts competitions; it is closed to the public during scheduled private events.
No outside alcohol or glass containers are permitted in the stadium bowl; smoking is generally prohibited in seating areas.
