Downtown Reading’s Taco Fest is scheduled for Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m. in the 500 and 600 blocks of Penn Street. The event includes food, music and activities for all ages. Free parking will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Reed and Court Street Garage at 666 Court Street and the Fourth and Cherry Street Garage at 420 Cherry Street.
In addition to food vendors and music and dance performances, there will be a a Cinco de Mayo 5k in collaboration with Nemesis Fitness Cinco de Mayo 5k, a free and family friendly fun run that kicks off in the 500 block of Penn Street. Visit runsignup.com to sign up
Prospectus Berco
Prospectus Berco is hosting an Open House on Thursday, May 9, at 5 p.m. This is an opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism to learn about services beyond high school. Family members are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by May 2 to Laura Murga at lmurga@prospectusberco.org, or 610-372-4637, ext. 105.
Poetry program
As National Poetry Month wraps up, the Wyomissing Public Library will offer a free program featuring one of the greatest American poets, Emily Dickinson. The program will be held today at 6 p.m. in the library, 9 Reading Blvd. Margaret Mary Yevics, a Penn State Master Gardener, will present “Emily Dickinson’s Gardens” as the poet herself, reading Dickinson’s poems and showing the gardens the poet tended from a young age.
Berks County Fair
The Berks County Fair has enhancements planned for this year’s event running July 10-13 at the fairgrounds in Bern Township, including new contests along with the traditional rides, games, concessions, track events and entertainment.
The 170th edition of the fair welcomes Huey’s Amusements to the midway for rides, games and concessions. New contests include bale decorating, Lego, Knex and tractor games plus more. The premium book is available at theberkscountyfair.com, which contains entry forms and deadlines.
The Fulton Bank Junior Fair Board is making its inaugural presence, getting people between the ages of 14 and 20 to learn about the workings of the fair and get involved. Information and applications can be found on the fair website. Deadline for applications is May 1.
The Young Farmer/Agribusiness Achievement Award includes farm families, agribusinesses and young farmers between the ages of 21-40. Deadline for nominations is June 1. Learn more on the fair website.
Art and craft festival
The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen will hold its fourth annual juried fine art and craft festival Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. under the pavilion at Renninger’s Farmers Market, 740 Noble St., Kutztown. More than 35 artists and craftsmen will be there with their newest creations. Paintings, weaving, jewelry, glass, wood, photography, leather, baskets, pottery, gourd art, metal art, rugs, fraktur and more. Admission is free, and the event is rain or shine. Learn more at Rbcrafts.org.
Maifest service
A traditional German Maifest worship service will take place Sunday at 11 a.m., at Renewed Spirit Church, 449 N. Ninth St., Reading. Worship will feature the Reading Liederkranz Singers under the direction of Mark Herr. Parking is available on the adjacent church lot; overflow parking available nearby. WEEU-AM will broadcast the service.
Flags for heroes
The annual Flags for Heroes in Myerstown has scheduled an opening ceremony for Saturday, May 25, at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of Frieden’s Lutheran Church along Route 422. Attendees should bring chairs. Upwards of 200 American flags will adorn the lawn, and a banner with names of fallen military and local heroes will be on a nearby hill. The keynote speaker will be Howard Kramer, co-founder of Listrak in Lititz.
For information about sponsorships, visit www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com, call 717-202-9752 or email dennis@elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com.
Leesport history
An open house will be held Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Leesport Area Historical Society Museum, 128 Main St. Tour the 1858 schoolhouse that served the community until 1961, visit a mid-20th century classroom and view local artifacts including a 1740s Quaker marriage certificate as well as society 20th anniversary memorabilia.
Theology With a Twist
Theology with a Twist presents a program on spiritual motivation on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. in the Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main St.
One of our biggest challenges as people of faith is helping one another grow and change. A counseling movement started in the 1980s focused on helping people find their own motivations.
The Rev. Jack Abel of Caron Treatment Centers near Wernersville, will lead a presentation and discussion on the Motivational Interviewing treatment method as it applies to our spiritual lives.
The event is free. Food and drink can be purchased in the restaurant downstairs and brought up to our event space. Parking is available in the community lot behind the tavern or on Main Street.
Bernville book sale
The Bernville Library, 6721 Bernville Road, is holding a 10 items for $3 book sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. There also will be fiction, children’s books, juvenile books, history, biography, how-to, travel, gardening, cookbooks, movies, CDs, puzzles and more. The library is directly above Redner’s on Route 183; enter from Fox Alley. More information: 610-488-1302.
Preston’s Pantry
Boyertown Area Multi-Service is holding its sixth annual Preston’s Pantry Food Drive and Community Event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 200 W. Spring St. Admission is free, but those attending are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to Preston’s Pantry, which provides food assistance to more than 1,000 people who do not have the financial means to meet their nutritional needs.
Event activities include music, food trucks, bounce houses, a dunk tank, face painting, balloon animals, rock painting and a petting zoo.
For details, find the 6th Annual Preston’s Pantry Food Drive and Community Event on Facebook.
Wildflower walk
A spring wildflower walk is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm in Virginville. The naturalist guide for this walk will be Albright College biology professor emerita Dr. Susan Munch. Participants should wear sturdy shoes . There may be wet spots and mud. The event is free to the public and will be held rain or shine unless there’s a thunderstorm. Parking is on-site and donations will be accepted. The farm is located on Route 143 south of the village of Virginville. GPS Address: 356 Hard Hill Road, Hamburg.
For more information visit www.Dreibelbisfarm.org, Historic Dreibelbis Farm on Facebook or contact Mark Dreibelbis at 610-488-7896.
Fraktur workshop
A Fanciful Fraktur Bird workshop will be held Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville. Instructor and artist Emily Smucker-Beidler will introduce fraktur through the history and creation of one of its most popular motifs: birds. Participants will complete a small Fraktur bird. People age 13 and up of all ability levels are welcome.
The cost is $60 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Students can bring watercolors or buy a set for $20. Preregistration is required, and class size is limited. To register visit mhep.org/events or call 215-256-3020.
Art showcase
The Wernersville Public Library, 100 N. Reber St., invites artists of all ages to showcase their talents from May 15 to July 31. A mini-canvas and paint supplies will be provided by the library at no charge. Participants can paint at the library or at home. Use any materials including pages from books, magazines, fabrics, photographs, etc.
A voting session will take place Aug. 1-8. The winners will receive a Longwood Gardens pass. For more information call 610-678-8771 or email childrens@wernersvillepubliclibrary.org
The library received its 2024 Gold Star Status on April 2. It has maintained that designation since 2022 by integrating all five literacies: information, basic, health, financial, social and civic, since 2022.
Muhlenberg golf event
The Muhlenberg Township Parks & Recreation Department is holding the 25th annual Bob McWilliams Golf Outing Friday, May 10, at the Manor Golf Club, Sinking Spring. The tournament will kick off with registration at 6:45 a.m. on the patio, followed by a shotgun start at 8. The range will open for practice at 6:30.
There will be a four-person scramble format as teams vie for the top honors in men’s and mixed divisions. Additionally, there will be hole-in-one prizes, closest-to-the-pin prizes and longest-drive prizes.
The registration fee is $80 per person, which includes morning coffee and snacks, greens fee, cart rental, lunch, beverages, an array of prizes and a golfer gift.
Go to www.muhlenbergtwp.com/160/Parks-Recreation or call 610-929-4727 to learn more.
Golf fundraiser
Terry’s Legacy will be hosting its 2nd annual charity golf tournament on Sunday May 19, at Rich Maiden Golf Course near Fleetwood. The event honors Terry Graul, businessman and former president of Abilities in Motion. Funds raised will help provide grants to individuals with spinal cord injuries to complete home modifications and repairs, enabling them to live more independently.
Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The cost is $95 per person. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Flight winners will receive donated prizes.
There will be several contests, including a hole-in-one contest with a cash prize of $10,000, plus a two day/one-night trip.
Snacks, beverages and lunch will be provided.
For more information, visit Terryslegacy.org or contact Christopher Graul at christopher.graul@terryslegacy.org or 484-577-3748.
Knights of Columbus golf
The St. Benedict’s Knights of Columbus annual golf outing is scheduled for Friday, May 17, at Blackwood Golf Course, Union Township. Four-person scramble, shotgun start at 8:45 a.m. Proceeds benefit local charity. Event includes games, breakfast, snacks and a steak dinner. Call Joe Drahus for details 610-763-2844
Trout fishing rodeo
The Wyomissing Trout Fishing Rodeo is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Stone House lawn along the Wyomissing Creek. The event brings together families and fishing enthusiasts for a day of fun and friendly competition. It includes fishing categories for children aged 15 and under. There will be prizes donated by local businesses.
The TCO Fly Shop will be hosting a fly fishing demonstration and instruction session at 5 p.m. May 10 as well as the day of the rodeo. Gourmand Cafe Food Truck will serve breakfast and lunch.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to register, go to WyomissingREC.com or contact Randy McKinley at rmckinley@wyomissingboro.org.
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