Local residents continued efforts to beat the heat Friday as temperatures again soared over 90 degrees.

From taking a dip to catching a flick, everyone has different preferences when it comes to staying cool.

The Palmerton Pool has been a popular destination for group trips during the heat wave.

Participants in Palmerton’s “Summer Recreation” program and residents from Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home both spent time at the pool this week.

“This is one of our favorite trips every year,” the personal care home posted on its Facebook page. “Residents love to go for a dip or run under the mushroom waterfall and some just like to read by the pool.”

Friday was another busy afternoon for the pool as families looked to beat the heat.

“My grandkids love being out here,” Clayton Dawson said. “If you’re not in a pool, it’s tough to be outside on days like this. We’ll be in the air conditioning later I’m sure, but it’s nice to spend some time outside.”

Meanwhile, 12-year-old Sammy Walsh summed up his reason for being at the pool perfectly.

“My mom says I get angry when I’m hot,” he said. “I’m having a lot of fun here. The slides are really cool.”

Many turned out Friday to the H.D. Buehler Memorial Pool at Bungalow Park in Tamaqua,

“We’ve been very busy,” said lifeguard Shawn Wall.

The trend started earlier this week as hot temperatures rolled in and officials closed the lake at Beltzville State Park, he noted. Beltzville’s lake reopened Thursday, but the Tamaqua pool was still busy.

Wall sat under the shade of an umbrella affixed to his chair. But even with the sun blocked, he said the heat could be intense.

“I’m in and out of the water any chance I get,” he explained.

While pools were a choice for many, others preferred air conditioning.

Kendra Wood, of Nesquehoning, said she was happy to be headed into a climate-controlled setting before entering Mahoning Valley Cinemas for the 2:35 p.m. showing of “Minions: The Rise of Gru.”

“I’ll take an indoor activity any day on a day like this,” she said.

At the Boulevard Drive-In and Family Restaurant in Lehighton, manager Fred Kemfort does quite a bit of cooking.

“Does it snow in December?” he replied when asked if the kitchen is hotter than usual. “It’s twice as hot.”

There’s no air conditioning in the kitchen, so Kemfort and his team rely on fans to circulate air.

They’re looking forward to Monday, when an air conditioner will be installed in the cooking area.

Until then, Kemfort said he keeps cool by making trips to the walk-in cooler. He’ll also stop in his office for a quick break.

The heat isn’t keeping customers from visiting the restaurant.

“They are ordering a combination of everything - both hot and cold,” he said.

Jen Lockard, manager of Tommy’s Italian Specialty Shop in Tamaqua, said the restaurant has been seeing more sit-down customers during the heat of the day.

In the evenings, she said, employees receive more orders for takeout.

Over the last few days, when temperatures sizzled into the 90s, Lockhard said lunchtime and early afternoon customers opted for cold hoagies and salads.

“And then it goes back to the hot stuff during the evenings,” she explained.

With ovens, fryers and toasters, the kitchen gets warm.

“It’s been so hot,” she said. “You just have to deal with it.”

For those wondering when the heat wave will end, there is little relief in sight this weekend.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory from Saturday at 10 a.m. to Sunday at 8 p.m. for several counties including Lehigh and Northampton.

Heat index values up to 104 are expected with the hottest and especially more humid conditions expected to occur Sunday.

“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the National Weather Service said in its advisory.