July 22
• Whoooo Goes There? Night Hike, Angora Fruit Farm, 502 Angora Road, Lower Alsace Township, 7:30-9 p.m. Berks Parks staff will guide a summer night exploration hike on Antietam Lake Parks’ wooded trails. Enjoy the beauty of the forest as we learn the shift change of animals from day to nighttime. Meet at the Angora Fruit Farm, wear sturdy hiking shoes, and bring a flashlight. This program is appropriate for children ages 7+ due to uneven terrain on the trail. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
July 23
• Deadline to order sandwiches from Pioneer Grange, 46 E. Keller St., Topton. Ham and cheese or turkey and cheese, $5. Pick up on Aug. 3 from 3-5 p.m. at the Grange Hall. To order, call Tammy at 610-463-7213.
July 25
• Family Fishing Day, Antietam Lake Park, 230 Angora Road, Lower Alsace Township, 6-8 p.m. Join Parks staff and Rangers as we enjoy an evening of fishing fun! Learn how to tie fishing knots, try your hand at casting, and see if you hook the big one! No experience or tackle necessary; no fishing license required. All rods, bait, and tackle will be provided. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
• Huff’s Union Church picnic, 540 Conrad Road, Hereford Township, food and baked goods available beginning at 4 p.m., rain or shine. Music by the Majestics from 5-8 p.m., weather permitting. Children’s activities and games (10 and under) 5-6 p.m. Bring lawn chairs. No pets, only service animals permitted.
• Fifth annual back-to-school event, Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Washington Township, 9 a.m.-noon. Free school supplies, clothing, touch-a-truck, refreshments, live music, inflatables and more.
July 29
• Guided Sunset/Full Moon Kayaking, Stilling Basin at Blue Marsh Lake, 1280 Palisades Drive, Bern Township, to Gring’s Mill Portage, Spring Township, 6 p.m. Calling all creek enthusiasts — it’s time to pull out your kayaks! We planned the perfect night to enjoy a mid-summer sunset on the water. In this guided program, we will float down the Tulpehocken Creek, enjoying the sights and sounds around us on the way. Please bring your own kayak, paddle, life vest, and planned transportation between launches. Feel free to rent a kayak to participate in this program as well! Life vests must be worn while on the water. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
July 31
• Concert: Swing Fever, Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, 2083 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and stay the evening! Parking is free. Food trucks: Heart and Hearth Cuisine, Greco’s. Free.
July 31, Aug. 1-2
• Das Awkscht Fescht, Macungie Memorial Park, 50 N. Poplar St., Macungie, Lehigh County. Car show, flea market and car corral, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, quilt show in air-conditioned building. Live music all three days, food, beer garden. For information, visit http://www.awkscht.com.
Aug. 1
• Knee Deep in the Creek, Angora Fruit Farm, 502 Angora Road, Lower Alsace Township, 10 a.m.-noon. Join us for a look into the creek critters that call our waters home and learn why they are so important. All participants should expect to wade into our rocky stream, so wear close-toed shoes that can get wet, old sneakers, water shoes, etc. Bring an extra pair of dry footwear for afterwards. Geared toward families with children ages 6+. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
• World Ranger Day, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Meet our local rangers from Berks, Chester, Lancaster counties and more. Learn what it takes to be a park ranger — check out trucks, boats, UTV’s, and gather stamps to earn your own junior ranger badge. Free.
• Drive-thru sausage sandwich sale, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 122 W. Franklin St., Topton, 10 a.m. until sold out. Cost is $6. Enter at Broad Alley and exit at Franklin St.
• Annual Hill Ringgold Band picnic and concert, St. John-Hill picnic grove, 620 Hill Church Road, Pike Township. Music from 5-8 p.m. Food available starting at 3:30, ice cream, french fries, soup, hamburgers, hot dogs. Refreshments rain or shine. Sit-down service from 3:30-7:30.
• Spring Valley Boutique, Spring Valley Church of God, 2727 Old Pricetown Road, Muhlenberg Township, 10-11:30 a.m. Park in the upper parking lot, boutique is in the gym. Most items at the boutique are free. Featured items vary by month (depending on donations) but frequently include clothing for women, men and children, shoes, handbags, jewelry, etc. Anyone looking to donate used items to this ministry can do so during boutique hours.
Aug. 7-8
• Book sale, Sinking Spring Library, 3940 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, regular price sale 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, bag sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Books and assorted plush bears for sale along with CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, records, and puzzles. DVDs not included in the bag sale. Cash and checks only. Sale in the lower level of the library. Parking available on the left side of the VFW.
Aug. 8
• Smokey’s Birthday Celebration, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate Smokey Bear’s Birthday with Smokey and friends. Visit with conservation and forestry vendors to play games, get Smokey Bear swag, and learn about efforts to preserve our forests and open spaces. Food truck on site: Perk Up Truck. Free.
• Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly open house from 10 a.m. until noon at its Golden Gateway facility at 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds. Meet and greet the golden retrievers and dogs available for adoption. Staff is on hand to answer questions, and food is available for purchase. No admission charge. No photos, and do not bring other dogs to this event. Check the website www.dvgrr.org for possible event cancellation. For more information, contact info@dvgrr.org, call 717-484-4799 or visit dvgrr.org/adopt/monthlyopenhouse.
Aug. 12
• Drop-in Art Camp, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 9 a.m.-noon. For adventurers ages 7-12. Campers can expect to create among the canopy of the Union Canal’s beautiful trails. This is a drop-off program. $20 per child. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Aug. 14
• Concert by Hot Club of Reading, Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, 2083 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township, 5:30-8 p.m. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and stay the evening. Food trucks will be on site and parking is free. Food trucks: Heart and Hearth Cuisine, Greco’s of Lititz. Free.
Aug. 15
• Nature Journaling, Berks Leisure Area, 1901 Tulpehocken Road, Wyomissing, 9-10:30 a.m. Join us for this workshop series to focus on the art of nature journaling. Learn about ways you can practice mindfulness by creating your own journal inspired by your surroundings. Bring your own book and any writing and coloring utensils you would like to use in your journal. If you need to purchase a journal, we will have a limited amount available for $5. Geared toward ages 16 and up. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Aug. 18
• Forest Friends Pop-Up, Angora Fruit Farm, 502 Angora Road, Lower Alsace Township, 9-11 a.m. Families Join us while we explore the forest of the farm. Help us identify the summer wildlife and Pennsylvania species. All participants should bring close-toed shoes and a bottle of water. Geared toward families with children ages 6+. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Aug. 20
• Garden Folklore, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 7 p.m. Join Sarah Linsenmaier for a lighthearted and whimsical discussion on herbal and garden folklore. Sarah will share a blend of botanical history, herbalism, herb garden folklore, and culinary uses of a select few herb garden favorites. Free. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Aug. 23
• Folk Printed Fabrics, Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township, 1-3 p.m. Learn historical block printing and stamping techniques and modern batik dyeing to create beautiful folk printed fabrics to take home. Learn about the history of fabric printing and create something truly unique to wear. Materials provided. Ages 16+, $15 per person. Registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program.
Aug. 28
• Concert by Pure Jerry, Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, 2083 Tulpehocken Road, Spring Township, 5:30-8 p.m. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and stay the evening. Food trucks will be on site and parking is free. Food trucks: Tony Luke’s, Greco’s of Lititz. Free.