They are the catalysts, spark plugs, essentially the driving force that make the Palmerton Community Festival the attraction that it is.

Make no mistake: The nonprofit organizations who freely volunteer their time serve as the lifeblood of the event.

The 36th annual Palmerton Community Festival opens at 5 tonight and continues Saturday and Sunday in the borough park.

Hours are 5-11 p.m. tonight, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday.

The festival starts with an opening ceremony from 5-5:15 p.m.

Jodi Smale, festival secretary and co-chair, said there are 50 vendors, both nonprofit and professional with food and games. Of those, 31 are nonprofits.

Smale said they also have a full craft tent of artisans selling homemade handcrafted items.

New to the event this year is Boy Scout Troop 62 of Berlinsville, who will be selling peach and apple cobbler made in Dutch ovens.

“Some people may remember our cobblers from Becky’s Drive-In, we do Dream Come True every year,” said Pam Roth. “We will be serving our cobblers with Leiby’s Ice Cream.”

Roth said they are looking to recruit some new scouts to the troop.

“Boy Scouts does not get the attention that it should,” she said. “We’re trying to find something that gives us (reach) to a broader crowd, get our name out there, and show just the joys of Scouting.”

Roth said fliers will be available at their stand, and they are looking to plan a meet-the-Scouts event.

“There is so much to do with Scouts,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful outlet for boys that don’t fit into sports, or kids that have a different type of taste, plus they learn life lessons.”

Also new to the event will be the Palmerton Camera Club on the bandstand.

In addition, Sebring’s nuts will be in the park with fresh roasted peanuts and kettle corn on the west side of the park.

Other nonprofits such as the Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club has decided to return to the event with a revamped menu, according to vice president Justine Strohl.

“We are going to be doing something new this year,” Strohl said. “We are going to be doing ham barbecue and turkey barbecue and pumpkin roll, and we’re also going to be doing buffalo chicken dip and pierogie casserole.”

The festival will also have plenty of activities.

There will be a balloon twister from 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday in the area of the bandstand sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hospital - Carbon. A balloon artist will be on site twisting up all kinds of fun balloon animals and creations for children of all ages.

On Sunday, the Palmerton Area Library will conduct a story time at 3:30 p.m. in the lawn next to the bandstand, which library Director Christine DeSousa said will mimic the story times they have at the library.

“It’s an opportunity for the library to bring the story time to community members on day that we usually wouldn’t have Story Time so that we can show people all the fun stuff that we do at the library,” DeSousa said.

Susie Arner, festival president and co-chair of the event, said the festival is “just a warm friendly setting, and the festival is filled with foods to delight every palate.

“After indulging or overindulging in the wonderful foods and desserts take a stroll around the park to encounter neighbors and friends,” Arner said. “Enjoy a game of bingo, listen to the entertainment, or shop until you drop in the craft tent.”

Arner explained what makes the event such an important draw.

“The funds raised by the nonprofit groups participating in the event are returned to the community through the services these groups provide,” she said. “No one can deny the important services the fire companies provide, churches use their funds raised to continue their outreach and community service, the St. Luke’s Auxiliary is a source of support to St Lukes Hospital patients and staff in countless ways, as are the other nonprofits extremely important to those in the community in need.”

Arner reminded visitors that pets, bikes, scooters, skateboards or roller skates are not permitted in the park over festival weekend.

She cautioned that when entering or exiting, people should use the macadam walkways and crosswalks as they are the most well lit areas and they want everyone to be safe. Handicap parking is available.

“Folks who visit leave with a good feeling from the smiles they encountered from friendly folks, the foods they enjoyed, and the community spirit they saw in action,” Arner said.