It’s an adventure in which the audience gets to be deeply involved and emotionally connected to the music.

South Penn Dixie is slated to perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday on the Main Stage at this year’s Palmerton Community Festival.

Ricky Bell, lead vocalist/guitarist, said this will mark the fifth straight year the band has played at the festival, which he said holds a special place in band members’ hearts.

“Our favorite show of the year,” Bell said. “The whole area around Palmerton has been so welcoming to us over the past few years that we’ve really sort of claimed it as the second home.”

Bell elaborated on what he believes makes performing at the festival so special.

“Always a big stage, always a responsive crowd,” he said. “Weather-depending, we’ve had some really nice shows there.”

Bell added the band also plays at places in Jim Thorpe, Albrightsville and Lehighton.

“We end up seeing the same faces and a growing fan base,” Bell said, adding they’ll have new hats and T-shirts this year. “We absolutely love it. We love playing in and around Palmerton.”

Along with Bell, the band features Mark Bunn on guitar and vocals, who has played at New Jersey venues such as Club Bene, The Stone Pony and The Saint; Mark Bracken, on bass and vocals, who has opened for Eddie Money, America, Gary US Bonds, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, The Turtles and The Little River Band; Dave Parfitt, drummer, an experienced Lehigh Valley veteran who has played with notable acts such as Social Call; and Courtney Cassium, a lead singer.

“We categorize ourselves as modern country, also sort of a variety entertainment group; we play popular pop and popular rock songs from the last 40 years or so, put them in sort of a country wrapper,” Bell said.

“The whole idea is we want people to be involved and included, even if they’re not country fans.’

Bell specifically underscored the importance of performing on Sept. 11.

“This particular show happens to be on the 25th anniversary of 9/11,” he said.

“There will be a portion of our show where we play some patriotic songs, address veterans, fire department (personnel), all the people that deserve accolades for their bravery that day.”