The Walnutport Canal Association discussed its upcoming annual canal festival this week.

The event will be held on Oct,19.Members discussed some policy issues in regard to a request made by visitor Al Dommel, pastor of outreach and discipleship for Northern Lehigh Bible Fellowship Church.Dommel, who asked that his church be allowed to join the festival said the congregation moved from the Calvary Bible Fellowship Church along Main Street in Walnutport, to its new location along South Best Avenue, in what used to be The Terrace Restaurant.The festival does not accept religious organizations as participants unless they sell something and/or put on history-based displays.Vice President/Historian Marilyn Kaul suggested that, since the congregation itself has been in the borough since the 1800s, perhaps they could make their booth historical in nature."We try to stress the history of our area," Kaul said, noting that the festival also highlights education and the environment, making "our festival unique in that aspect."Boerher suggested the church could perhaps also gather donations for the Northern Lehigh Food Bank, noting the donation area will likely be located near the festival information booth.And member Erv Prutzman suggested the church could perhaps tie its efforts to Thanksgiving.Member Tom Sidor pointed out, however, that he is not in favor of the church handing out religious or church-based information.After Dommel left, a motion was made to allow the church to participate, granted it abides by these new stipulations.Member Duane Masonheimer was the only dissenting vote, noting an emergency meeting of the festival committee had already been held Sunday to discuss the matter.The festival weekend kicks off Friday, Oct. 16, with the annual Haunted Woods, from 7 to 10 p.m., fun run for ages 13 and under on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 9 a.m., followed by the 6K Towpath Trot at 9:30 a.m., and a "Feast-ival" dinner, catered by Lorah's Pig Roast and with entertainment from Mike Peters and John Ortiz, later that day at 5 p.m.Lehigh Township Rails to Trails President Nancy Thatcher said the organization will offer free, monitored bicycle parking on Canal Street, near Main Street, during the festival.She said a free guided bike ride along the Delaware and Lehigh Rail Trail will be held Sept. 27 from Lehighton to Slatington, with stops being made to discuss local history and botany.The organization will soon clean up near Lock 25 in preparation of the festival.President Doug Boerher told members he had discussed with the borough council at its Sept. 11 meeting the issues at Lock 23.He said council said it will look into the noise problems there and possibly also that of a small leak.