Sept. 16
• Junk Journaling, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 6 p.m. This is an open-session style class where journaling friends can gather. Junk journals can be made out an assortment of different materials, which are often recycled or found. Learn about ways you can use your journal and what supplies can be utilized to create one. A limited amount of art materials are provided but please bring your own book and any supplies you would like to include in your journal. If you need to purchase a journal, we will have some available for $5. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
• Sinking Spring Area Historical Society meeting, Sinking Spring Borough Hall, 3940 Penn Ave., front entrance, 7 p.m. The program is “A Bird’s-Eye View of Berks County History” by Alexa Freyman, Berksiana content creator, using high-definition drone footage. Parking in rear off Columbia Avenue. Public welcome. Information 610-678-4219.
Sept. 19
• Spaghetti and meatball dinner, Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 1343 Long Lane Road, Greenwich Township, 4-6:30 p.m. Includes salad bar, garlic bread, homemade dessert and a drink, $14 for adults, $7 for ages 5-12, under 4 free. For more information, call 610-334-4002.
• Theorem painting class led by artist Peggy Allen, Historic Dreibelbis Farm, 356 Hard Hill Road, Richmond Township, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Preregistration required, email dreibelbisfarm@gmail.com. The Theorem design is a replica of the circa 1854 “Tree of Life” symbolic of the Shaker community. Each participant will complete and take home the project. The cost is $45 to be paid with registration. No previous experience is required. All materials will be provided.
Sept. 20
• A Birdseye View of Berks History: Aerial Perspectives of some of Berks County’s Most Iconic Landmarks and the History Behind Them, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 2 p.m. Alexa Freyman is a FAA licensed drone pilot, local historian, and creator of the “Berks Nostalgia” blog. Join her as she looks to uncover the beauty in the County’s historic architecture and decipher whether the good old days were really all that good. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
• Berks Fiddle Fest, Fleetwood Park, 333 W. Main St., Fleetwood, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Enjoy a full day of live music, hands-on workshops, and community fun. Festival highlights include the Musical Workshop Pavilion, Open Mic and Jammin’ Areas, a Morning Concert Series, and multiple fiddle competitions, including the All-Ages and F.I.R.E. Fiddle Competitions. The festival also features Fiddler Craft Row, showcasing local artisans and makers, adding to a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere. Free.
• Deadline to order soup from the indoor flea market and soup sale, St. Michael’s Church, 529 St. Michaels Road, Tilden Township. Ham and bean, chicken corn noodle, beef vegetable, Italian wedding, $9 per quart, to order call Glenna at 484-926-8103. Pick up soups on Oct. 3, day of the flea market, which is open from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Other food available at the flea market: egg sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, hamburger BBQ, chicken BBQ and sides.
• Heidelberg Heritage Society Open House, 182 W. Penn Ave., Wernersville, 1-4 p.m. Celebrating its 50th anniversary. Three floors of displays and artifacts representing the history and culture of the area surrounding Wernersville. The Lerch Tavern at 182 W. Penn Ave. contains a room dedicated to the South Mountain Resorts in South Heidelberg Township. The Wernersville Train Station was the East Coast transportation connection to the South Mountain resorts. The Wernersville Train Station is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Sept. 19 and 20 from 1-4 p.m.
• Barn dance and guided house tours, Historic Dreibelbis farm, 356 Hard Hill Road, Richmond Township. Dance from 1-4:30 p.m., tours from 2-4 p.m. Dance is free; $6 fee for the tour.
Sept. 24
• Book signing, reading and Q&A with L.D. Zane, author of “It’s Always My Fault,” Muhlenberg Community Library, 6 p.m. Free. Register at muhlenbergcommunitylibrary.org or610-929-0589.
Sept. 26
• Free Museum Day & Belt Running Day, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Experience the Wagon Works come to life during this unique demonstration. The engine and belt line-shaft system remained functional throughout the factory’s operation, running numerous machines and equipment. Witness the once-a-year, public demonstration of the Gruber Wagon Works line shaft-belt system and the demonstration of the Wagon Works’ hit-and-miss 15 horsepower Otto Engine that served as the main power source for the factory. The Gruber Wagon Works will be open to the public throughout the day with stationed guides throughout the museum. The Belts running will begin at 11 and run through 4. Demonstrations of the Otto “Hit and Miss” Engine will take place at 11:30, 1 and 2. The C. Howard Heister Canal Museum will be open for self-guided tours as well.
• Basket Party, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1749 S. Main St., Bechtelsville, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the church office, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets also will be available at the door. Refreshments will be available to purchase.
• 50 cent sale and indoor/outdoor flea market, Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Washington Township, 8-11 p.m.
• History Hike, Daniel Boone Homestead, 400 Daniel Boone Road, Exeter Township, 9 a.m. This hike will take visitors through the Homestead’s historic area, stopping to view various historic structures and landscapes, including the Boone House and Bertolet Log House. The hike will take approximately 1 hour and will primarily be on gravel, stone walking paths. Sturdy shoes are encouraged and dogs are welcome but must be leashed. There is no fee for this program, but donations are always welcome. The program is rain or shine and is presented and funded by The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.
Oct. 3
• Wellness Walk, Antietam Lake Park, 230 Angora Road, Lower Alsace Township, 9 a.m. Join Parks staff as we get out on the trails at Antietam Lake Park to enjoy an hour-long brisk walk with likeminded friends. Just a few minutes of walking can greatly improve the state of your mind, create healthy habits, and introduce new connections among others looking to do the same! Wear walking shoes or other appropriate footwear and dress accordingly. Free. Register at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
• Community giveaway, Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Washington Township, 9-11 a.m., clothing, household items and more.
Oct. 4
• Deadline to pre-order from Favorite (Bazaar) Foods Sale, Zion’s Lutheran Church, 354 Zions Church Road, Perry Township. The sale will be held on Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Order and payment, payable to WELCA, can be dropped off or mailed to the church. Baked goods will also be available for purchase. Information can be found on Facebook: Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Perry Township or by contacting the church office at 610-562-3112.
Oct. 9
• Cradle of Conservation: Book Talk with Dr. Allen Dieterich-Ward, Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, 2803 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township, 6 p.m. Join Dieterich-Ward, author, professor of history, and director of The Graduate School at Shippensburg University as he guides us through an in-depth look at conservation history in Pennsylvania. We’ll follow the path of local conservation movements from indigenous peoples to our industrial past, tracing land usage, policy change, and the events that helped shape our current lives. His book, “Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania,” released in 2024, will be available for purchase after the lecture. Free. Seating is limited, registration is required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Oct. 10
• Flea market and bake sale, Faith Lutheran Church, 210 N. 25th St., Mount Penn, 8 a.m.-noon. Clothing and household items, $5 bag sale starts at 11 a.m.
Oct. 13
• Trail Tales, Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, 2803 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township, 10 a.m. Get wrapped up in a trail tale and discover plants and animal friends in our parks. This toddler-age program focuses on a nature topic each month partnered with a story and a craft. Special guests and visitors may make an appearance to join us in the fun! Geared toward children ages 3-5. Free. Registration is required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Oct. 17
• Fall craft show, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1749 S. Main St., Bechtelsville, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Crafts, used book sale, bake sale. Lunch will be available.
Oct. 18
• Heritage Day Fall Festival, Daniel Boone Homestead, 400 Daniel Boone Road, Exeter Township, noon-4 p.m. This event will feature a variety of Colonial and early American demonstrations, trades, and hands-on activities. It will include some new participants and demonstrations this year while also continuing our celebration of America250. This year’s highlights include blacksmithing, gunsmithing, leatherworking, open hearth cooking, tinsmithing, spinning, gardening, and an 18th-century fashion display. Visitors will hear from living history interpreters about the colonial militia and Dragoons and can participate in a muster activity using wooden dummy guns and swords. The event also includes a variety of artisan craft and specialty food vendors plus fall activities for children like pumpkin painting. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors (65 and older), $5 for youth. Children under 5 and Daniel Boone Homestead Association members are free.
• Pennsylvania’s Early Settlers and the Supernatural, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 2 p.m. For fans of everything spooky, Pennsylvania has a reputation as an unmitigated disappointment — but that is far from the truth. Because of its origins, the Quaker colony has a unique and sometimes extreme relationship with the metaphysical. Join Chester County History Center’s Educator, Jennifer Green, for this spooky lecture! Free. Registration is required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Oct. 21
• Junk Journaling, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 6 p.m. This is an open-session style class where journaling friends can gather. Junk journals can be made out an assortment of different materials, which are often recycled or found. Learn about ways you can use your journal and what supplies can be utilized to create one. A limited amount of art materials are provided but please bring your own book and any supplies you would like to include in your journal. If you need to purchase a journal, we will have some available for $5. Free. Registration is required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Oct. 25
• Paper Plate Basket Workshop, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, noon. Join Vicky Heffner as she returns to teach this basket making workshop where students will create a basket that provides a sturdy way to display paper plates. All basket supplies are included — participants should bring a bucket, 10 spring clothespins, a flathead screwdriver, a towel, and an old pair of scissors. Participants should bring cash or check made payable to Vicky Heffner in the amount of $45 for materials, $5 registration fee. Registration is required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Oct. 26
• Fall Full Moon Glow Hike, Angora Fruit Farm, 502 Angora Road, Lower Alsace Township, 6 p.m. Berks Parks’ staff will guide a twilight hike on Antietam Lake Parks’ forested trails by the light of glowsticks. Enjoy the beauty of the forest as we learn about the history, local flora and fauna, and experience the park in a new way. Meet at the Angora Fruit Farm, wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring a flashlight (just in case). Glowsticks provided, but feel free to bring your own. This program is appropriate for children ages 7+ due to uneven terrain on the trail. Free. Registration is required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Oct. 31
• Halloween Wellness Walk, Berks Leisure Area, 1901 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, 9 a.m. Family and friends- Join Parks staff as we get out on the Union Canal Trail to enjoy an hour-long brisk walk to observe fall foliage with likeminded friends. Just a few minutes of walking can greatly improve the state of your mind, create healthy habits, and introduce new connections among others looking to do the same! Wear walking shoes or other appropriate footwear and dress accordingly. Free. Registration is suggested at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.