They serve classic homemade comfort foods to sustain their operations and advance their core missions.

It’s that tireless work ethic that doesn’t go unnoticed, as even the most ardent of festivalgoers would surely attest.

The 37th annual Palmerton Community Festival opens at 5 tonight and continues Saturday and Sunday in the borough park.

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

The festival gets underway with an opening ceremony at 5 p.m.

Entertainment will follow with South Penn Dixie scheduled to perform from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the 1970s Midnight Rock Show from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m., both on the Main Stage.

New to this year’s event is the Corn Fritter Guy, who specializes in — you guessed it — homemade corn fritters.

Zach Umstead, owner, said he’ll have sweet corn fritters with batter they make from scratch with a maple brown butter sauce to make them golden brown delicious.

Umstead said he’s excited to introduce his product to visitors at the festival.

“I’ve always wanted to do something that I could do one thing and go to the fairs/festivals,” Umstead said.

“I grew up eating them from my grandmothers making them, I ran with their recipe, came up with a cool sauce and am trying to educate everyone on corn fritters.”

Umstead said he’s pumped to be a part of the festival.

“It’s an overall welcoming experience to try something new,” he said. “We try to bring some new life to the fairs and festivals with new food.”

Also new to the festival is River Rock Bean and Brew Bean and Brew, known for offerings inside the Palmerton Public Market, will be serving popular beverages, breakfast sandwiches, dirty sodas, Lotus energy drinks and the famous mini pancakes with assorted toppings.

Susie Arner, festival president and cochair, said there are about 50 vendors on hand.

Arner noted that a few vendors have moved, while a longtime favorite — the Bowmanstown/Parryville Lions Club known for its hot dogs and hamburgers — is no longer a part of the event, which she said leaves St. John’s Lutheran Church, which will be set up by the bandstand, as the only hot dog/hamburger vendor.

She added that Palmerton Community Ambulance will have staff on site for needed first aid and will be located inside the bandstand.

In addition, Arner also encouraged visitors to spend time with some of the sponsors (The Neffs National Bank, Blue Mountain Resort, Blue Ridge Cable, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Befesa Zinc US Inc) who will be on hand for a few hours Saturday to help promote their businesses.

“We encourage visitors to stop by and see what services may be available to them since they are the major sponsors of the event as a whole,” she said.

Above all else, Arner said it’s heartwarming for the festival to be able to carry on its legacy.

“We are pleased to be able to continue the tradition of the Palmerton Community Festival,” she said. “We hope everyone continues to support each and every stand, comes here, enjoys memorable time with their family and friends.”

Arner added that all the groups that are represented throughout the park are always looking for willing volunteers to join them in their endeavors that they offer to the community, and urged visitors to stop by their stands to see if it would be something they’d be interested in joining.

“That’s what makes it a lot different and unique is we have many more nonprofits here raising funds for their own cause and providing home-cooked food versus your usual fair food,” she said.

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.

For more information, visit www.palmertonfestival.com.