A special occasion to commemorate what will be its new and improved bandstand has the full support of Palmerton borough officials.

Joe Federanich approached borough council last week with plans for an event he would like to see held Aug. 22 in the borough park.

Federanich, on behalf of the Palmerton Chamber of Commerce, as well as several other organizations in the borough, explained his vision for Picnic in the Park.

He said Colossal Radio would be there, along with games to play in the afternoon, possibly a band, firetrucks, police and ambulance vehicles.

“We want to make it a whole day affair,” Federanich said. “We want to make it a Picnic in the Park, and maybe start it and do it every year if it’s successful.”

Federanich said he thought of possibly going to all the restaurants in town and coming up with a special where they could sell food items such as hot dogs and hamburgers.

However, borough Manager Donna McGarry told Federanich they would need to have something in writing, as well as a list of all the events.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell suggested that Federanich bring forth a park use request with an organization on it.

“I would not be opposed to it,” Hausman-Sell said. “I think it’s a great idea.”

Council then agreed to grant conditional approval of the request for the Picnic in the Park event to be held Aug. 22 in the borough park.

However, as part of council’s approval, there is to be a use request completed with the organization being named on it, along with no insurance information, and no rain date.

Improvements to the borough’s bandstand will be covered thanks to the Donald and Mary Behler Foundation, which stepped in with all of the funding for the construction costs of the project.

Federanich noted the foundation had previously contributed generously to the original Holiday Lighting for the park and Delaware Avenue, and last year to the train display on the bridge, while numerous other organizations have been the recipient of their generosity.

On a 5-1 vote in April, council approved the sanding, painting and metal railing of the bandstand.

Federanich said all the work would be done before the Concerts in the Park begin.

He said they are looking for a camera to be installed inside the bandstand.

In March, council granted permission for Phase One of the bandstand improvements project.

The work consists of all electrical interior lighting to be replaced with new fixtures to accommodate LED lighting; the exterior lighting to be changed to LED with the current fixtures; all outlets to be changed to GFI outlets; and four microphone jacks to be installed in the ceiling to allow for microphones to be dropped to improve the sound from various sections of the bands.

Palmerton Band director Joseph Plechavy will oversee and pay for the sound improvements.

Federanich said that the floor would be repaired and sanded. It will be kept natural color with coatings for protection. The white surfaces will be repainted, except the wooden railing, which would be removed, with a new steel railing to be installed that is designed to meet with code that would be powder coated to prevent rusting.

Drawings have been forwarded to borough zoning officer Duane Dellecker for approval.

They would like to remove the wooden railing and pour a concrete step to replace the broken step at the entrance to the bandstand.

Federanich said that it’s been over 30 years since any improvements have been made to the bandstand.

Everything will be funneled through the chamber, but the Palmerton Concourse Club, Palmerton Community Festival and Christmas in the Park organizations are the primary parties involved.

Federanich said they initially anticipated that the entire project would cost about $15,000, but that the likelihood is it will cost about $25,000.