Palmerton area youth came into contact with some walking unicorns Friday morning.

That would be in the form of Tammy Strahan and Tracy Phillips, who dressed up in their unicorn costumes as part of their 3-mile walk through town.

The unicorn-clad duo from Palmerton began their trek at 8 a.m. and walked around the park on Third, Lafayette, and Fourth streets.

As part of their sojourn, they went by both S.S. Palmer Elementary and Parkside Elementary schools as the students arrived for school.

They also walked up and down Delaware Avenue so that the children in the daycare centers could see theml.

“We wanted to make the kids smile,” Strahan said. “We both love unicorns, so we decided we would dress as unicorns, and decided to do our walk dressed as unicorns.”

They figured what better time to do it then on the weekend of the Palmerton Community Festival, which got underway on Friday and runs through Sunday.

Phillips said it was an experience they won’t forget anytime soon.

“It was fun; it made me smile,” she said.

Asked how they felt after their walk, both said they were fine.

“I feel like we’re good,” Strahan said. “It definitely was everything I hoped and more.”

Phillips echoed her workout partner’s sentiment.

“The kids reaction was amazing,” she said. “Especially at the daycares.”

But, it wasn’t only the youth who seemed to enjoy their efforts.

“Adults were just as happy, and were waving to us,” Strahan said.

For both Strahan and Phillips, walking has worked wonders for them over the years.

They said they both started out walking a small amount, and were then able to build up their distance until they could do more.

Since January 2020, they have been walking together twice a week.

Over the years, both Strahan and Phillips have realized the gains of their activity.

Strahan, who at one time weighed 250 pounds, said she dropped 100 pounds in a two-year period from 2013-2015.

Phillips, who had weighed 200 pounds, lost 30 pounds in a one-year period from January 2020 to January 2021.

“Get up, get out and just move,” was Phillips’ sage advice to anyone struggling with weight issues.

So thrilled were they with the reception they received that Strahan said she plans to dress up as Wonder Woman today while at the festival.

“We’re looking for ideas on costumes for next year, and are taking suggestions,” she said. “We’re hoping to make it a yearly thing on festival weekend.”