The walkways were packed with festivalgoers eager to be the first in line to enjoy their traditional festival delicacies.

Just across the way, laughter rang throughout the park as children anxiously boarded their favorite amusement rides.

Down a bit further, the sound of numbers could be heard being called out as bingo lovers filled their cards hopeful to mark off five numbers in a row.

All of that and more made the 34th annual Palmerton Community Festival the place to be on Friday as the event kicked off its three-day run.

The festival began with an opening ceremony with the Palmerton United Veteran’s Association’s presentation of colors and invocation.

Pupils and students from Parkside Education Center and S.S. Palmer Elementary sang the national anthem, along with a group of festival volunteers who represented their vendors on the main stage.

Joe Uhnak, first vice commander of the Palmerton American Legion Post 269, said that Monday marks the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States in which we lost more than 3,000 lives.

Jodi Smale, festival secretary and co-chair of the event, welcomed those in attendance and thanked all the volunteers who give unselfishly of their time.

“Without them, we could not bring you the festival,” Smale said. “Support the organizations; they do rely on this as their biggest fundraiser of the year.”

Festival volunteers from their respective organizations then introduced themselves along with the items they were selling at their vendors.

Borough Mayor Don Herrmann gave opening remarks and told festival attendees to “enjoy yourselves for the next three days.”

Rides and slime

For children, there was a ride special and plenty of games.

Avery McKevitt, 7, of Palmerton, was all smiles after she reeled in a prize while playing the Shark Tank game.

Her mother, Shyvonne Glessner of Palmerton, said she and her daughter enjoy the festival for a variety of reasons.

“We love it because of the small town kind of feel,” Glessner said. “We also love the games, rides, and food.”

Other popular features at the festival include crafters under a tent, and bingo under a tent.

Luna Wentz, 6, of Palmerton, made slime at the Slime Universe table inside the crafting tent.

Her mother, Meghan Milkovits of Palmerton, said she and Luna enjoy “the food and all of the different creative tents and stands.”

Bethany Leonard, owner of Slime Universe, said she enjoys setting up inside the crafters tent.

I love it here in Palmerton,” Leonard said. “It’s different; you don’t (usually) make slime at a festival.”

Susan Arner, president/co-chair, said she was “thrilled” with the attendance level and the fact that the rain didn’t derail opening night.

“I’d like to thank all the people who came out and supported all of our wonderful organizations, and I hope they plan to come out and support us the rest of the weekend,” Arner said.

The event continues today from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Today’s entertainment schedule includes the Palmerton Community Band from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Bandstand; The Rehrig Brothers from 2-3:30 p.m. on the Main Stage; Main Street Cruisers from 5-7 p.m. on the Main Stage; and M80 Band from 8:30-10:30 p.m. on the Main Stage.

There will also be a ride special ($20 cost) from 1-5 p.m. today,

The Palmerton Area School District will distribute free books to elementary students from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the district’s tent near the Parkside Education Center. Parents who have students in Pre-K through sixth grade may pick them up.

Sunday’s entertainment will be include Time Whys from 1-3 p.m. on the Main Stage; Nowhere Slow from 4-6 p.m. on the Main Stage; and Triple Rail Turn from 7-9 p.m. on the Main Stage.

There will also be a ride special ($20 cost) from 2-6 p.m. Sunday.