Coplay held a Celebration of Youth event May 6 to officially dedicate the new playground equipment in the borough’s Tot Lot on South Fifth Street.

The event included a drum circle, small parade and crafts and activities for children and families.

A group of organizations teamed up under the leadership of Keith Sodl, who coordinated the event and led the drum circle. The event was held at both the Tot Lot and the grounds of the Coplay Public Library. Coplay Borough Council, members of the police and fire departments, library staff and board members, Coplay Recreation and Welfare Committee members and more were in attendance, as were Mayor Steve Burker and state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd.

The first order of the event was to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the new playground equipment. Burker and other Coplay elected officials stood side by side as McNeill cut the dedication ribbon.

The playground equipment was paid for with a state Greenway grant of $42,000, which was secured by McNeill’s office.

The library staff assisted children with a rock-painting activity. On hand were Sharon Dougherty, interim director; Diane Derhammer; and Pam Kopishke, the new library director. An open house at the library was also held.

Coplay Fire Department had an information table and a firetruck on hand. Firefighters distributed crayons, toy helmets, coloring books, pencils and more to the children.

Police Chief Ryan Emerich and Debbie Bailey, police secretary, had police department giveaways.

A number of residents came out to enjoy the event, including Stiles residents Kaiya Kustafik; her mother, Olivia Bobyak; and her grandfather, Mike Bobyak.

Cameron Emerich was having fun climbing the new playground equipment as his mother Alicia Emerich, of Lower Macungie, watched.

The program concluded with a small parade around the library and Tot Lot grounds.