For those who have anxiously awaited, the time to freshen up their homes and gardens has arrived.

The annual Palmerton Spring A-Fair Plant Sale is in full bloom, with the deadline for orders due by Saturday.

Due to the pandemic, prepaid orders are being accepted, according to event Co-Chair Elisabeth Leshock.

“We sent flyers to the people we have on our list,” Leshock said. “We have received quite a few orders with payment.”

Leshock said the items may be picked up May 8 in the parking lot of the former Palmerton Hospital.

“We will be set up with tents, sort of a little bit like we had it (in the past),” she said.

Leshock said customers can choose from a big variety of hanging baskets, along with herbs and tomato plants.

She said the plant sale began in the early 1970s.

“The fact that it has been going on all this time, sort of a tradition,” Leshock said. “This is the first time we’re doing it preordered like this, and probably will continue like this.”

Leshock said last year they started the preordered plants.

“We did some mums in October, and it was a good response,” she said. “We probably will do that again in the fall.”

Emily Bradbury, who serves as the Ways and Means chairman for the St. Luke’s Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary, said she’s excited about the plant sale.

“It’s a classic annual event the auxiliary has had for many years,” Bradbury said. “It’s been a regular event that we’ve had, beautiful, lovely flowers; just a happy occasion.”

Bradbury said that while the hanging baskets are really a specialty, there are also begonias, geraniums, a number of herbs to put in the garden, and much more.

“Proceeds will go to the new hospital that’s being built,” she said. “We look forward to helping the hospital in any way that we can; we’re so happy that it’s here.”

Bradbury added, “We have many volunteers who are anxious to help in any way that we can.

“A big thank you to all the volunteers who are taking part in making this happen, and to all the people who have supported us all these years, we appreciate them, and our customers,” she said. “We do have many people who return and look forward to it and it’s fun.”

Checks should be made payable to the Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary. Mail orders to St. Luke’s Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary, P.O. Box 312, Palmerton, PA, 18071, or drop orders off at the Nearly New Thrift Shop in Palmerton.