As crowds packed Palmerton Borough Park for the opening night of the 37th annual community festival Friday, organizers first paused to remember a day that forever changed the nation.

The festival’s opening ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, honoring the 2,977 people killed and reflecting on how the Palmerton community came together in the aftermath.

Joe Uhnak, chaplain of the Palmerton United Veterans Organization, said it remains important to remember those who lost their lives and all who were affected by the tragedy.

The Palmerton United Veterans Organization presented the colors, followed by the national anthem performed by the Blue Mountain Balladeers, private vocal students of Resa Hall.

“Twenty-five years ago tonight, this very park looked very different,” said Jodi Smale, festival secretary and co-chair. “Our country had just experienced an unimaginable tragedy, and people were searching for somewhere to go, something to do, and someone to stand beside.”

Smale referenced a newspaper article published the day after the attacks reporting that hundreds of Palmerton residents gathered in Borough Park for an evening prayer service.

“People of every age came together. Prayers were offered. Hymns were sung. And our community gathered here to mourn, not as different groups or denominations, but simply as Palmerton,” she said. “The message that evening was simple: Don’t give in to feelings of hatred, but pray.”

“Twenty-five years ago, the people of Palmerton stood in this very park because they needed one another,” she added. “Tonight, we’re standing in the same place, here to remember the lives that were lost, to honor those who served and sacrificed, and to remember what happened when people came together.”

Smale also read remarks from retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Dan Dailey, a Palmerton native who was unable to attend.

Others remembered

The ceremony also served as a tribute to two recently departed members of the community, Billy George and Reynold Davies. Smale described George as a respected businessman and community leader who, though never officially a member of the Palmerton Community Festival Committee, was always willing to help, often behind the scenes.

George served as chief of the Aquashicola Fire Company, a board member of First Northern Bank, a volunteer with the Holiday Lighting Committee and owner of George’s Plumbing and Heating.

“He was someone who believed in his community and found ways to contribute to it,” Smale said.

“He didn’t just talk about making the community better, he found ways to make special moments happen. And perhaps the greatest tribute to him is that some of those moments are still happening today.”

Smale described Davies as “a simple man.”

“He didn’t need to be the loudest person in the room, and he was rarely outspoken unless he needed to be,” she said. “But if something needed to be handled, you could count on Reynold.”

A member of Wheels of Valor, Davies became “an important part of our festival family,” Smale said. He provided security during the event, managed the ride ticket booth for several years and served multiple terms on the festival’s board of directors.

“Anyone who knew Reynold knew that if someone was getting out of line, you could count on him to resolve it, quickly, quietly and without making a big production out of it,” she said. “He didn’t seek attention. He simply showed up, did what needed to be done, and looked out for the people around him.”

A moment of silence followed in honor of those lost on Sept. 11, the first responders and military personnel who answered the call that day, and George and Davies.

Festival continues

Festival president and co-chair Susie Arner said attendance was so strong for opening night that vendors began arriving about two hours before opening.

South Penn Dixie opened the entertainment schedule on the Main Stage, followed by The 1970s Midnight Rock Show.

The festival continues today from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with performances by the Palmerton Community Band, IvoryBlu, Robbie Lawrence and the Steelworkers Polka Band, Richie and The High Street Rockers, and CJ Solar and The Old Souls.

The event concludes Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. with Nowhere Slow, The Rehrig Brothers Band and the AM Radio Tribute Band.

The festival also features games, bingo, a craft tent and other family activities.

For information, visit the festival website or Facebook page.