Animals, historic demonstrations, kid’s crafts, antiques, produce and crafts are just a few of the wonderful things that Heemet Fescht has to offer on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University.
East Penn Manufacturing has provided a donation to cover the cost of our petting zoo. This, in turn, has created the ability to grow Heemet Fescht! We will also be partnering with the Greater Berks Food Bank for our Harvest Home Food Drive. If you can, bring a can. We hope to carry on the PA Dutch tradition of gathering food for those in need during the harvest season. Last year, we collected 84 pounds of non-perishable food items.
We have booked some great local bands: The Mountain Folk Trio featuring East Side Dave Kline, Mike Hertzog and the Blue Mountain Trio and Keith Brintzenhoff.
Some of the exciting demonstrations we have lined up include: blacksmithing, log hewing, hearth cooking, bread baking, star embroidery, scherrenschnitte, crocheting, hex sign painting and more! The Sharadin farmhouse will be filled with the sound of harp music provided by Sarajane Williams of PlanetHarp. Darius Puff will also join us for Lenape history and storytelling.
You won’t want to miss the wagon rides and demonstrations by the Old Time Plow Boys Club, and stop by their kitchen for a delicious meal. We will also be featuring artists from the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen in the Guild’s log cabin, and tinsmith demonstrations in the Thompson cabin.
New this year, we are introducing the flea market and produce auction. Do you sell antiques, produce, plants, seeds, food, crafts, beverages or something else non-commercial? If so, we would love to have you at our new market. Registration for the market is open until Sept. 14, and is just $5 per table (we will provide the table and chairs) for a spot in the field.
We are seeking demonstrators of historic crafts and activities, and local artists and crafters with wares to sell. These demonstrators will be placed in and around the farmstead to create a fantastic experience for our guests. Vendors interested in selling wares in these locations should have items of an historically-themed or PA Dutch nature. Spots cost 15 percent commission of total sales and will include a listing in the program.
As always, we need volunteers to make it a success. Can you help?
Admission to Heemet Fescht is free, but parking donations are welcomed and appreciated.
If you would like to be involved in any way, or would like to know more about the event, please call 610-683-1589 or email arichard@kutztown.edu. More information is available at www.facebook.com/pgchc and www.kutztown.edu/pgchc.