Article By: Cher Kohl
This Friday night kicks off the 37th Coplay community days festival, our little town’s annual fair.
This 2 & 1/2-day event brings in huge crowds, that practically double the population of Coplay, for the weekend.
The Aardvarks start things off Friday night, bringing their energetic, danceable, rock tunes, under the pavilion. There’s all kinds of music during the weekend festivities. From Country & rock Saturday afternoon & into the evening, to Sunday’s Polka, rock & roll…there’s even an Elvis sighting too! The Large Flowerheads close out the fair Sunday evening with their tye-dyed psychedelic 60’s party.
Throughout the 8 or so acres, there’s fun for the entire family. The pool is free & open both days, with DJ Freddie Fredricks Jr. getting the fun started on Sunday, and following at 4:00 the “party in the pool” continues with a free Aqua Zumba class led by Northampton native, and Fantastic instructor Tara Miller. Then at 4:45, someone lets the dogs out & into the pool, to finish out the pool season. There is a fee to let your dog swim, that goes to a local animal charity.
Of course, this weekend wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention food! Who goes to a fair & doesn’t partake in eating? There is all your typical “fair food”, from pizza, hamburgers, sausage sandwiches, boom boom shrimp & don’t forget the funnel cake! Then we have a non-typical food. Something you don’t normally see at area fairs., which is authentic German food. From Weinerschnitzle to Spaetzle, Currywurst, Jaegerschnitzle & Fleishkeichila. Let’s not forget the German potato salat too. This has been a huge fan favorite over the past 3 years, all brought to you by Doris Getter.
Doris was born in the Bavaria section of Germany. She grew up helping her mother, in the restaurant business. She came to America January of 1990, after marrying her G.I. husband, Dan. Always hoping she’d one day get to share her love of cooking, that her mother instilled in her, 4 years ago, she decided to try her luck at a food stand, here in Coplay. Her creativity doesn’t end with cooking. She’s quite talented in many ways, including her full-time job as a Florist. Her dream would be to share her food, either with a takeout stand or a food truck, one day. Till then, catering & the Coplay community days is her way of spreading her love of food to the masses. Her German food stand is also a family affair, with her daughters Sophia & Hannah joining her in delivering scrumptious delectables. Oh, and don’t forget to wish her a happy birthday, this weekend, too!
Finally, what goes better with German food, than BEER! Yes, the Samuel Owens beer garden will be pouring Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Yuengling Lager & other cold adult beverages his weekend. German food & beer, goes together like peanut butter & jelly, like Oreos & milk, like pumpkin pie & whipped cream… you get the idea!
Come out to our Party in the Park, this weekend, listen to some toe tapping great music, eat & drink your way thru the various vendors, dance it all off & eat some more!
This festival is all volunteer staffed & better yet, the proceeds (80%) go back into the community. The parking is free, whether it be in the lot, on the street or at the American club lot, just a short walk away. No cover charge for the bands, what more can you ask for?
Hope to see you, this weekend!
Cher Kohl
