Strike up the band.

Performances in the midst of a global health pandemic have been hard to come by for the Palmerton Area High School Blue Bomber Marching Band, but the public will finally have an opportunity to see the group in action this Sunday.

The band will be playing at Becky’s Drive-In, located on Lehigh Drive in Walnutport, at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.

“Since the majority of our performances were canceled this year and we wound up with only three football games to play at, I tried to find some other venues that would allow a performance and still have social distancing possible,” Tom Heinick, band director, said. “Becky’s was very kind and helpful in scheduling and coordinating this.”

The venue allows for 340 vehicles, and Heinick, as well as the band members, are hopeful the roughly 45-minute performance provides a fun afternoon for families.

“It’s one thing to play at the football games because there aren’t many spectators this year, but I think it’s going to be nice to get out to a performance and have all of our families and friends come see us,” said band member Gina Laviolette.

Gates will open to the public at 1:30 p.m. A rain date has been set for Oct. 25.

“I’m excited to play at a drive-in,” said band member Grace Heist. “I don’t think any of us have had that experience before.”

It’s been a long road just to get to this point for the band. Like most extracurricular groups, they were patiently waiting for the green light at the beginning of the year as guidelines changed by the day.

“So many weeks at the beginning, we were just thinking OK, maybe it will be this week that we can start, or maybe next week,” Laviolette said. “To be able to finally come together as a group was really special and we’re looking to make the most of it. I think we are honestly pretty great despite everything we had to overcome.”

The band made the most of the space in the high school parking lot during practice Thursday night, with different groups playing a great distance apart. That type of setup took some getting used to for the students.

“Normally we play really close together,” Heist said. “So we had to get used to playing farther apart. You have to listen a lot closer to be able to stay together and in sync as a band but I think we’ve done a great job.”

While there will be no admission to get into Sunday’s concert, the band will be accepting donations for a special cause.

“We are accepting cash donations to help our students who tragically lost their mother recently,” Heinick said. “Any amount will go directly to meet the needs of the children and would be greatly appreciated.”