![\"Benny](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BSF-Groovemasters.jpg\")
Benny Sims and the Groovemasters, an iconic Berks ensemble, will open the Berks Summer Fest. (Courtesy of Berks Arts)<\/p>\nBerks Arts, in partnership with the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, will present the fourth annual Berks Summer Fest on July 11 at the GoggleWorks, 201 Washington St., Reading.<\/p>\n
The free, family-friendly event will feature live music, children\u2019s activities, and local arts experiences designed to bring the community together for a day of fun and creativity. It\u2019s the first year that the GoggleWorks will host the event.<\/p>\n
Festivities start at 11:30 a.m.\u00a0Families can enjoy a wide range of activities for children, including magicians, clowns, tie-dyeing, face painting, and hands-on arts and crafts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are looking forward to providing the community with an opportunity to enjoy a fun day of music and family activities,\u201d said Tish Davis, executive director of Berks Arts. \u201cWe are excited to be collaborating with the GoggleWorks team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Visitors will have the opportunity to visit Thorn Alley Kitchen, GoggleWorks\u2019 newest gathering space where food, art, and community come together. Attendees can enjoy food and refreshments throughout the event.<\/p>\n
The open-air Thorn Alley Stage will feature the four major performances:<\/p>\n
Benny Sims and the Groovemasters, an iconic Berks ensemble, will open the Berks Summer Fest. (Courtesy of Berks Arts)<\/p>\n
1-2:30 p.m.: Bennie Sims & The Groovemasters, featuring Cliff Starkey, Erich Cawalla, David Cullen, Jeremy Boyd and special guest vocalist Marsha T.\u00a0The iconic Berks ensemble will open the festival with a mix of R&B, funk, and soul, including a tribute to legendary singer Teena Marie.<\/p>\n
3:15-4:30 p.m.: Dexter Sales Quartet, featuring Sales, Reid Justeson, Esteban Ruiz and Julian Lee. Sales, the drummer, has assembled an all-star group of emerging young musicians for an exciting jazz performance \u2014 saxophonist Justeson, a recent Kutztown High grad who will attend Temple University in the fall; bassist Ruiz, an Exeter High grad who finished his freshman year at the New School in New York; and vibraphonist Lee, a sophomore at The Shipley School. Sales and Ruiz, along with Noah Gibney, have been members of So What, the trio that won the prestigious Chuck Loeb Memorial Scholarship in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Sales was part of The Baseless Trio that won the Loeb Scholarship this year with Gabe Perry and Aidan Wilson.<\/p>\n
![\"Caya](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BSF-Caya-Sol-Reggae-Band.jpg\")
Caya Sol Reggae Band will perform at the Berks Summer Fest. (Courtesy of Berks Arts)<\/p>\n
5-6:45 p.m.: Caya Sol Reggae Band, featuring Steve \u201cWale\u201d Peterson, Shannon \u201cShan Bam\u201d Palmer, Tom Cleary, Josh Klein, Daryl Yancey, and Joel McDonald. The internationally influenced group blends reggae rhythms, rich harmonies, and positive energy into a vibrant musical experience.<\/p>\n
7:30-9 p.m.: Flamin\u2019 Dick & The Hot Rods. Celebrating 41 years of entertaining audiences, the band will close the festival with classic rock \u2019n\u2019 roll favorites from the 1950s and 1960s.\u00a0The band features \u201cFlamin\u2019 Dick\u201d Weatherholtz, guitar\/vocals; Keith Rentschler, guitar\/vocals; Rob Lienti, keyboards\/vocals; Mike\u00a0 Anderson, saxophone\/vocals; Jeff Stoner, drums\/vocals; and Doug Kauffman, bass\/vocals. Their authentic renditions of songs made famous by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Bill Haley, Dion, and others continue to delight audiences throughout the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoggleWorks is proud to partner with Berks Arts to bring the Berks Summer Fest to our campus,\u201d said Levin Landis, president and executive director of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. \u201cEvents like this celebrate the creativity and culture that make our community such a special place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome families, artists, and neighbors for a day of music, art, and connection in the heart of Reading.\u201d<\/p>\n
The County of Berks serves as the title sponsor of Berks Summer Fest, with additional support from community partners and sponsors.\u00a0The festival will support Helping Harvest. Collection bins will be available onsite for food donations, and attendees are encouraged to bring approved nonperishable food items to help local families in need.<\/p>\n