WEST READING, Pa. — It’s shaping up to be a big weekend for businesses along Penn Avenue in West Reading.
“This is a really big weekend for West Reading, specifically the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation,” said Brian Adams, owner of The Art Room.
Adams helped organize many of the events happening throughout the weekend.
The celebration kicks off Friday night with the monthly Second Friday event.
“This month’s theme is Pot of Gold Hunt based around St. Paddy’s Day,” Adams said.
The event is a scavenger-style game.
“These are the little leprechaun pots. You’ll receive a map that guides you through the business district and you’ll try to solve the riddle for a chance to win gift cards,” Adams explained.
Then, on Saturday, the St. Patrick’s Day celebration continues with a bar crawl.
“We have our annual St. Paddy’s Day Bar Crawl, which is called the Shamrock Shuffle. I think there’s about 10 to 11 bars that are included in that as well, which is a really cool thing and a big night for the bar industry on the avenue as well,” Adams said.
And the weekend wraps up Sunday with Chili Madness, a chili cook-off featuring more than 20 local businesses.
“And then Sunday is the Chili Fest, which I will be winning,” joked Allison Shannon, owner of Allison Clothing Company.
Visitors will be able to sample chili from the participating businesses and vote for their favorites.
“They will sample chili from the participating stores, picking their three top winners, and then submitting that as well so we can crown the chili restaurant and cook-off winners again,” Adams said.
Business owners say events like these help keep the avenue lively and bring people together.
“We’re a vibrant town, and the more we can do to engage people and give them really cool experiences, that’s crucial,” Shannon added.