The annual Coplay Borough summer concert series ended with Rock Steady entertaining the crowd Sept. 20. The summer series has grown every year in popularity with residents of Coplay and surrounding communities.

The concerts are held at the Coplay Borough Community Plaza, North Second and Chestnut streets. The gathering space has a gazebo and a number of park benches dedicated by families to honor a loved one.

Entertainment over the spring and summer started May 3 with the Jeni Hackett duo. Concerts were every other Wednesday evening. Other performers included the Castaways, Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer, a Pair of Aardvarks, Rock Steady and Third Hand Trio. Several of the bands played more than once.

Coplay Mayor Steve Burker, founder and leader of the series, was delighted with attendance.

“It is about people coming out and enjoying themselves with quality music,” Burker said.

He said he looks forward to the 2024 summer concert series and hopes to add to the band selection.

Community Plaza was once a tree-lined plot owned by Giant Foodstore, which granted permission for the borough to develop the area as a gathering place for the Coplay community.

In addition to benches and a gazebo, the plaza has a flower garden and a large clock partially funded by a resident’s family to honor a loved one. It also includes a plaque in tribute to Saquon Barkley, the Whitehall High School and Penn State football standout who now plays for the New York Giants. For a time, he resided with his family in Coplay.

The plaza is a space for fellowship and good times and provides a community-strengthening role in Coplay.