Thirty-one families from Carbon County will soon learn if they have received a family season pass to the Baer Memorial Pool in Lehighton.

Lehighton Pool Pals president Diane Hoffman said the hard work of Pool Pals volunteers and the generosity of the community made the donation a reality for families to enjoy the many benefits a community pool offers.

The selection committee members will be contacting the selected families shortly.

Hoffman said the selection committee members carefully look over all of applications that have been submitted for consideration.

The members of the committee utilize a decision tool to make sure all families are treated fairly while at the same time looking for families who will use the passes and have not received a pass the previous year.

More than 75 families applied for these family passes raised though a gift card bingo in March under the direction of Tracie Saunders, and generous donations from the community as well, said Mark Hoffman, vice president.

Hoffman said Wanda and Blaine Dietz donated enough money to award five families with a season pass along with Nick Weinrich, proprietor of Nick’s Fix it, who has donated a family pass over the past three years to this fund.

Hoffman thanked Trinity Lutheran Church also for its contributions to this fund over the years, as well as its support for the pool. The newest community pavilion constructed at the pool is named in honor of Trinity Lutheran Church.

The pool will open on May 23 with a cardboard boat regatta, the dedication of a 20-foot umbrella in honor of America 250PA and the dedication of a plaque honoring eight deceased Pool Pal members who gave time and talents to the community and the pool. The Pool Pal Memorial Swim Fund is named in their honor.

On the opening day, the 25-plus cardboard regatta boats will be arriving at 11 a.m., allowing enough time for the public to mingle and chat with the boat captains and take photos. The boats that have entered in the regatta are from many community organizations and local businesses.

Dignitary judges include the likes of Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington and more.

The program will then begin at noon with the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the playing of “God Bless America” by the Lehighton Boys and Girls Band, the dedication of the Pool Pal Memorial plaque, and the 20-foot umbrella followed by a few short speeches by local dignitaries.

At 1 p.m., the regatta races will begin. There will be a series of timed heats with many featuring three boats at a time racing across the pool. There will be trophies awarded to the five fastest boats, as well as a judges choice award and team spirit award. There also will be a Titanic Award that is self-explanatory.

The pool will be open to the community at no cost on this day thanks to the generosity of the Lehighton Borough and Recreation Director Tom Evans. Stevie Ray Entertainment will be providing music and entertainment during the day, and the concession stand will be open with a host of delicious food and drinks available for purchase.

The Lehighton pool has an array of amenities that sets it apart from many community pools. With a zero-entrance capability, the entrance supports access for handicapped people and is especially suitable for younger children. The pool has slides in the deeper water, a refreshment stand, showers, a baby pool with covered seating and three pavilions to rent for parties.

Sponsors for the free admission for the regatta include Home Comfort Solutions, Trinity Lutheran Church, Lehighton Walmart, BEFESA Community Fund, Lehighton Outdoor Center, Uline, Thrivent Financial, Perfect Balance Boutique, Lehighton Area Lioness Lions; Lions Club, Behler Foundation, Majestic Fire Apparel, Wanda and Blaine Dietz, Larry Wittig and Nick Weinrich and the Lehighton Area Pool Pals.