Berks County hosts festivals that celebrate the food, dance, and music of many cultures: Berks Celtic Festival, Kutztown Folk Festival, Berks Jazz Fest, Berks Latin Fest, Riverfest, the Chili Pepper Festival, and the Reading Liederkranz Oktoberfest. Three one-day festivals described below are dedicated completely to music; all three were interrupted by COVID in 2020.
Lyons Fiddle Fest resumed in 2021 with a new name and location: Berks Fiddle Fest at Bear Creek Resort (Macungie, September 18). As it did for decades under its old name, this festival includes a fiddle contest and musical performances all day. This year it will include an open stage (schedule at www.bcmountainresort.com/play/events/berks-fiddle-fest-performers/ ). Admission: free for children under 13, $7 for others.
Maidencreek Old-Time Music Festival resumed in July 2022 at Maiers’ Grove (Blandon) and included about twenty workshops to teach people to play old-time, music as well as seven hour-long concerts by teachers. Watch a video at youtu.be/vwVTLiWAC68 . Admission is free for children under 13, depends on the level of participation for others.
For over 30 years, the Early Bird Fiddle Fest, a free, all-day event at the Berks County Heritage Center (Reading) featured a fiddle contest, jamming, and an open stage. In 2020, the festival was virtual, but was cancelled in 2021 and 2022. The County might restart the festival if the Recreation & Special Events Supervisor hears from enough of us at lgauker@countyofberks.com .
Photo credits courtesy of: LIVE-ART
Paula