A borough woman asked the Tamaqua council for its help in making downtown festivals more accessible.

“I’m trying to make it more accessible because I know it’s the big tradition,” Karri Garber said of the street fairs organized twice each year by the Tamaqua Area Historical Society. “You cannot get through. You literally cannot get through.”

The festivals attract thousands to the downtown streets, which are lined with vendors and entertainers.

Garber said it is impossible to attend in her wheelchair and said people pushing strollers face the same problem.

She contacted both the historical society and Mayor Nathan Gerace with her concerns. But with no solutions, Garber approached council Tuesday evening.

She suggested having vendors set up along a private parking lot on Railroad Street where festival car shows are typically held.

“If the cars could be there, why can’t the booths be there?” Garber asked. “I would be able to enjoy it without having to worry ‘Am I going to knock down this person’s merchandise?’ or ‘Am I going to hit this person?.’”

Gerace said he contacted the historical society but didn’t have a firm answer.

“I think we can all agree that we’ve been to the downtown festivals and it does get hard for people with wheelchairs and strollers because you’re constantly bumping into signs that are along the streets, and garbage cans and poles,” he said.

Gerace, however, said people might not agree with moving the festivals to another location.

He suggested having vendors set up their booths and tables with the backs facing the street. That way, he said, there would be a clear walking area on the sidewalk in front of buildings.

“People would be able to get through,” he said. “I think that should solve the problem pretty well. I think that’s probably the simplest yet most meaningful (solution).”

The society hasn’t acted upon Gerace’s request.

Councilman Ron Bowman said, “It’s definitely worth a try.”

Council will also recommend that the society look into finding a solution.

“I agree with you,” councilman Jay Hollenbach Jr. told Gerber. “You can’t even walk up there sometimes.”

“Hopefully we can make some headway on this,” Bowman said.

The society’s Heritage Festival is Oct. 9.