Palmer Community Days Start Wednesday

Diane Grube cannot wait for Wednesday night.

For the past 15 years, Grube has planned, coordinated and overseen Palmer Township's Community Days, which begin with a movie on Wednesday and end at 10pm Sunday.

"I love it. I'm thrilled," said Grube, who took over as organizer from her father Eddie, who founded the community event now marking its 28th year. "The torch was passed on to me. I don't know what I'll do when I retire and who will take it over."

Festivities kick off at with the second annual Movies in the Park at dusk Wednesday with “Marmaduke” and free popcorn and water.

Throughout the four-day festival, about 35 vendors will be on hand and all kind of food will be offered, including cheesesteaks, sausage, hamburgers and hot dogs, nachos, fried dough, funnel cakes, chicken bowls (a bread bowl with grilled chicken on top of salad) and ribbon fries, in which a whole potato is shredded and deep fried.

"We have any kind of food you want," said Grube.

Also on tap are numerous games for children from a duck pond to ball tossing to basketball, speed pitch and balloon darts, Grube said.

"We're always adding new attractions," she said. Last year came movie night. This year, a tent will cover the basketball court to protect bands and entertainment from inclement weather. "We'll have tables and chairs to keep people out of the rain," Grube added.

Grube said she starts planning the event in the beginning of the year, setting up bands and dealing with vendors. Speaking of vendors, she said she has a waiting list of 20 organizations wanting to participate.

"Our motto is 'Where Neighbors Meet Neighbors,'" she said. "It's a great time to gather everyone together, friends and family, and have a little community fair."

Board of Supervisors Chairman Dave Colver agrees.

"We love it," he said. "Everyone around us knows about it and they try to model it after us. It's exciting. The event kind of marks the end of summer."

Colver said Community Days started out as a weekend event and then "sprawled" into a four-day event. He said the event features all non-profit organizations that sell their goods and keep all of the profits.

"It's a great fundraiser," the supervisor said.

"This is a very family-friendly environment," Colver said. "We won't make it a carnival. We have no intentions of changing it."

The event schedule is:
* THURSDAY, AUG. 18, 2011 - 6 to 10pm
“FAMILY NIGHT” FOR RIDES $10.00/BAND – All Night
6–7pm – Maureen O’Grady Irish Dancers (Sponsored by – Ancient Order of Hiberians)
7–10pm – Crazy Heart (Sponsored by – N.J. Pugliese – Nicholas Court)

* FRIDAY, AUG. 19, 2011 - 6pm to MIDNIGHT
6–7 – Lou Pettinelli Band
8– midnight – JOYOUS
(Sponsored by Embassy Bank for the Lehigh Valley)

* SATURDAY, AUG. 20, 2011 – 5pm to MIDNIGHT
5-6 – Jay Allan Rocks – Tribute Artist
6–8 – Mr. Guys – Children Entertainment
6:30 - 7:15 – K-9 Demonstration – Palmer, Easton and Wilson police departments
8 – Midnight – UUU
(Sponsored by Snowscapes/Tree & Stump Removal and Touch of Class Car Detailing)
10 – FIREWORKS (Sponsored by – Charles Chrin & N.J. Pugliese)

* SUNDAY, AUG. 21, 2011 – 3 TO 10pm.
“FAMILY DAY” FOR RIDES $10.00/BAND – 3 to 6
4 – 7:30 – Easton Area High School Girls Softball Team Steak Bake
Tickets available from any team member or at the park prior to the bake.
3 – 6 – Jeff Bellfy
6 – 7 – Zumba Craze!
7 – 10 – Truth & Soul