If you’re anything like me, you hate to see Summer come to an end. Sure Fall is nice, but what comes after…..yuck!
Fortunately, we have one of the best End of Summer festivals coming this weekend. Coplay’s very own “Party in the Park” starts this Friday, August 24th at 5:30pm. and runs thru Sunday the 26th at 9:15pm. The “little town that could” is throwing a last Hoorah for Summer and you don’t want to miss it!
Excellent music, food & drinks are served up for this 2-and-a-half-day celebration. The 38th annual Coplay community days is 100% volunteer run, staffed and organized, with 80% of the proceeds going back into the community!
A sort of mini music fest, as music and food are the themes thru out the weekend. The usual fair food is served, but this festival has a lot more to choose from, food wise. Broccoli cheese bites, Castaway Crawfish, Coconut Shrimp, from the Island Expressions truck, New England Clam Chowder served at the St. John’s Lutheran Church stand, Lulu’s Lunch Box is serving Chicken Paprikosh. There’s Pot Roast sandwiches and Nachos with cheese at the Coplay Sports stand and my personal favorite, the German tent will have Weiner Schnitzel, Spatzle, Curry Wurst, Fleischkeichila, Jaeger Schnitzel and more. If your mouth is watering or you’re just intrigued about what these delicacies are, come out this weekend.
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the alcoholic beverages. You won’t find better prices at a fair, than $2 for a 16oz. cup of Miller Lite or Yuengling Lager. They also have Sangria and other alcoholic delights at the Samuel Owens beer truck, under the Giant Pavilion.
Friday night kicks off with the Lehigh Valley’s favorite rock cover band, the Aardvarks, who take the stage at 6pm.
Saturday opens at noon, then at 1pm., the Brian Dean Moore band brings their high stepping country-fusion fun, to the stage, followed by, and new to the Coplay community days, the Philadelphia Funk Authority, who will have you dancing in the aisles or on the dance floor or in your seats. They play from 6:15 to 9:30.
Sunday’s schedule includes Elvis, Johnny Cash and Paul McCartney impersonators, starting at 12:30, and at 3pm. Cunningham & Associates bring their style of rhythm, blues, rock & roll to the pavilion, featuring current Lehigh County executive Don Cunningham!
Closing out the festival is the ever popular, groovy, tie-dyed Large Flowerheads at 6:15pm.
The pool will be open Saturday and Sunday from 12-5 for anyone who wants to get their last splash of the season in….oh did I mention the pool is free? Yup both days.
There will be various kid-oriented activities in the pool area from 12-5 both Saturday and Sunday. Tootsie the Clown will be making an appearance, there will be face painting, and DJ Freddie Fredricks Jr. will be spinning the tunes for a dance party Sunday from 1-4, and finally, my personal favorite, a free Aqua Zumba class with Tara Miller, will be held from 4-4:45pm.
Parking is FREE and can be found across the street or just a short walk up the Ironton trail, at the American Club parking lot.
Games of chance and other various activities will be scattered thru out the weekends festivities.
Once again, the entire festival is 100% volunteer driven, with 80% of the proceeds going back into the Coplay Community. Playground equipment and computers for the Coplay Library are just a few of the items purchased from this festival.
Hope you can find your way to our small-town party, this coming weekend!
