Before they came together, Lansford Alive — a nonprofit aimed at revitalizing the borough — held its own fall fest at the beginning of autumn, while Grace Community Church — seated on West Ridge Street — put on a block party in the summer.

The two events had their own leaders and traditions, but shared the same goal: to celebrate Lansford and its people.

So, when the nonprofit and the church decided to pool their labors for the borough’s annual fall festival last year, the result was an occasion bigger and better than either had seen in the past.

“We have so much more visitors,” said Donna Valent, a Lansford Alive board member.

“Our town has changed so much,” she added, “and we have newer stores coming in, and we’re proud of our town … Lansford is alive.”

The Rev. Jeremy Benack, of Grace Community Church, said the festival gives borough residents a chance to have a good time in their own hometown.

“Not everybody can travel,” Benack said. “(If) they’re here in the Panther Valley, they can come right (over).”

At the Lansford Historical Society booth, Bruce Markovich displayed old photographs from the borough’s past.

Some showed people riding the trolley that once ran through Ridge Street that is now covered by pavement. Others depicted boroughwide celebrations that took place on the thoroughfare as far back as 1910.

Markovich said Lansford was the “greatest little town.”

Valent said the festival featured close to 40 vendors, and for one of them, the event offered some much-needed time in the public eye. Lansford Friends of the Pool, a nonprofit, set up a table on West Ridge Street lined with cups containing several kinds of soup.

All proceeds raised went toward reopening the Lansford Pool.

“In two hours, we make a lot of money,” said Gwyneth Collebechil, treasurer of Lansford Friends of the Pool.

The pool closed in August 2015. It’s been out of commission every summer since, with one pump completely shot and another set to break any day, Collebechil said. The pool also has a leak.

But Collebechil said spreading the word about the pool’s state gets it one step closer to opening again.

“This really puts our name out there,” she said, “which is a great thing.”

“We’re hoping that within the very near future, we can have the pool open and functioning,” Collebechil said.