Coplay Community Days will take place on a renovated site later this month.

The annual festival, now in its 32nd year, is set for Aug. 22-25 at Saylor Park in Coplay.

"Community days just funded approximately $17,000 for major renovations and improvements to our community park," event Chairperson Steve Burker said.

The renovations include a paint job, the first one since the pavilion was constructed in the 1980s, Burker said. Coplay Community Days purchased approximately 40 gallons of paint and members of the borough public works crew did the work, he said.

Three new light poles donated by the Coplay American Club have been added to the park site.

"People will notice it will be a little brighter along the walkways," Burker said.

In addition, electrical outlets were all updated and a new speaker system is being installed so announcements can be heard throughout the festival grounds.

A new stage is also being constructed with approximately $3,000 of the funds provided by the festival.

John Schreiner, who also serves as festival co-chair and project manager, spent several hours with Council President Lou Bodish, Councilman Carl Luckenbach and contractor John Shelak going over the final plans for the stage, Burker said.

Although the borough public works crew is helping as time permits, the borough workers are not doing the bulk of work because they need to handle their normal duties, including garbage and yard waste pickup and street repairs, Burker said. The public works crew is still very helpful, he said.

"Without their help, when schedule permits, we probably would not have this completed in time," Burker said. "Plus the project would have cost perhaps another $5,000 or more with the labor ... for what public works crew does for us when they can. They have been a tremendous help to us."

People who have attended the festival enjoy the setting, which includes eight acres of "sun and shade" near the historic Saylor Cement kilns, he said.

"I don't have plans to make the festival bigger, just better than the last one," Burker said.

The site will be set up differently this year in several ways. For one, the rides will be moved from Saylor fields at the intersection of Second and Keefer streets to the festival grounds. This way people will not have to cross Second Street to get from the rides to the rest of the festival. Rides will be placed in the upper lot and in the grass near the Coplay pavilion.

"I came to the conclusion to do the rides here because so many people voiced their opinion that it would be nice if the rides were part of the festival and on the festival grounds," Burker said.

Although rides will fill one parking lot, Burker does not anticipate any problems with parking.

"Over the 32 years we've had this festival, there's never been a parking problem," Burker said, adding the American Club allows parking at its nearby hoagie shop.

If the new location does not work out, the rides can be moved back across Second Street next year.

"It also adds to the atmosphere of the festival," Burker said.

A photo booth is also new. It will be there Friday and Sunday but not Saturday because the contractor has another commitment that day.

"I'm going to see what happens," Burker said.

Burker also announced country music is returning.

"Country music used to be a part of the festival six or seven years ago," Burker said, adding it was discontinued because it didn't generate income. Many people who came to hear the country music did not support the festival by buying food or other items.

Because of requests to bring back country music, Burker has booked the Cramer Brothers who are based in the Poconos.

"What way to do it better than to bring in one of the best country bands in the Northeast," he said.

Typically the Cramer Brothers play only at venues that charge admission. However, their performance will be free to festival attendees. Whether country music continues in the future will depend on whether vendors report the fans supported them, Burker said.

If country music does not work out, Burker is prepared to bring back the karaoke contest.

A popular area 1960s and 1970s band, the Large Flowerheads, will also play at Coplay Community Days. In between their sets, nationally award winning Elvis impersonator Andy Svreck will do two 45-minute sets.

Although changes are being made, some staples still remain. Live entertainment will be provided by the Aardvarks and Lucky 7. Johnny Dee polkas will return Saturday afternoon.

All in all, the entertainment will cost $7,000. That cost is borne by sponsors such as Service Electric, Burker said.

Another sponsor, Miller Supply Ace Hardware in Northampton, is featuring this year's kids' zone, which will offer a variety of activities and games Saturday and Sunday. The Girl Scouts from the Rivers Edge Service Unit will also be assisting.

A disc jockey will play poolside for those who want to cool off in the Coplay pool, located adjacent to the festival grounds, said Burker. Admission to the pool will be free during the festival.

Coplay's three churches have also agreed to work together to host an ecumenical service 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Burker said he is grateful to the sponsors as well as to the Coplay Public Works Department, borough council and police, staff and volunteers for all they do to make the festival possible.