"During the past week colorful booths and tents have been springing up in the park." - The Palmerton Post, Thursday, Sept. 16.

The Post was an early newspaper in Palmerton, but its lead story on the front page is just as true today, except that the Community Festival is now three days rather than one.One side of the creek was lined with food stands each offering different types of food - each food exceptionally good. Across the creek there were games, a chinese auction, and amusement rides. At night the giant wheels spinning colorfully in the dark were beautiful.The chinese auction prizes were chosen at 4 p.m. putting a stop to that activity.An announcer said the strawberry shortcake topped with ice cream was very good especially if you are looking for something sweet. An hour later he was saying there was no more shortcake but strawberries were still available.He suggested people take a chance at the Zinc City stand for their choice of a Harley Davidson FXD Super Glide, Yamaha XV1700 Roadstar, Kawasaki ZX 140 Ninja, a Rhino 4x4 or $10,000. The winner will be chosen Oct. 3.Matt Strohl, who was offering make-your-own tie dye shirts was telling everyone who would listen that he is starting a bakery in Palmerton.Abigail Fredericks was among those who tried to throw a folded newspaper on the steps of a house to win a prize at the TIMES NEWS stand.Strollers were plentiful.The Community Festival is truly a family event. For people walking down a quiet Delaware Avenue to reach the park, squeals of delight could be heard from people on the rides.Happy vendors were assured of a good outcome when the announcer started listing the items that were sold out - only 24 more sausage sandwiches, no more pasta salad and the VFW is out of homemade pierogies. The list went on.Tom Newman, a Community Emergency Response Team trainer, said Robert Thompson won a $100 pack of emergency supplies and Gabrielle Augustine won the pet package.Susan Arner, director of the festival, said everything was excellent though the weather wasn't the greatest on Sunday."We are happy there was no rain. We hope to see everyone again next year. Last night (Saturday) we had a record-breaking crowd. Over 4,000 people were in the entertainment area to see the Mahoney Brothers," she said.