Susie Arner has voluntarily helped organize the Palmerton Community Festival nearly as long as the event has existed.

While the festival celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Arner celebrates her 26th as its chair.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am if I didn’t volunteer,” she said.

Arner hit a few minor bumps in planning this year’s event, but being a well established and well supported affair, she said those hurdles were easy to clear.

Plus, she added, there are dozens of other volunteers dedicated to the festival’s success.

“We enjoy what we do,” Arner said Thursday night, just one day before the doors finally opened. “It makes us feel whole.”

Flash forward to Friday just before 5 p.m. Vendors throughout the park started rolling up the sides of their white plastic tents. Lines had already formed around booths selling elephant ears, sausage sandwiches or bacon on sticks. The heavy hum of carnival rides was outdone only by excited greetings as family, friends reunited once again.

And then came the festival’s opening ceremony, which took place on the main stage.

The Palmerton United Veterans Organization led in reciting the pledge of allegiance. John DeSousa and his daughter, Christine DeSousa, who is also director of the Palmerton Area Library, sung the national anthem. John’s late father, Jack DeSousa, was former director of the Palmerton Men’s Band.

Mayor Chris Olivia then took to the stage. He thanked the volunteers who helped organize the festival and whose efforts extend far beyond its three-day span.

“Palmerton continues to be a special community because of the dedication of our citizens to volunteering to pitch in to help all year long in so many ways,” Olivia said.

Most of the booths set up in along the park sidewalks belong to nonprofit organizations. For many, it’s the biggest fundraiser of the year.

Some volunteers spend hours a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday operating their booths.

Jodi Smale, festival co-chair, said their hard work shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“There is a lot of work that goes into putting on such an event as this,” Smale said. “And each stand you see here deserves to be recognized for the time they all devote.”

The festival continues today and Sunday, with rides, games, craft vendors and entertainment.

On Saturday, the schedule is Palmerton Band from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tricia’s Dance Extreme from 1 to 2 p.m., Sunshine Symphony from 3 to 5 p.m., The Rehrig Brothers from 6 to 8 p.m. and Karen as Dolly from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Jean and The American Dream Band play from noon to 1:30 p.m.. The day continues with The Belle Tones from 2 to 3 p.m., The Main Street Cruisers from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and Bruce in the USA from 7:30 to 9 p.m.