Berks County’s 2025 Earth Day Festival, City of Reading’s Annual Spring Cleanup

From City of Reading

This year’s Berks County Earth Day Festival will kick off at noon on Saturday, April 26, at the Reading City Park at North 11th and Washington streets. This is the 55th anniversary of the first Earth Day in the U.S., and the 35th anniversary of Earth Day here in Berks County. There will be a ceremonial blessing to open the event, featuring a tree planting and an anniversary cake.

Prior to the Earth Day festivities, the Great American Clean Up will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with many volunteers cleaning up across the city.

At the Earth Day Festival, there will be a wide range of activities, including two collection events:

• East Penn Manufacturing will collect lead-acid batteries
• Helping Harvest will collect shelf-stable food items.

Those who donate to the food bank will receive a free native plant while supplies last.

The City of Reading, in partnership with Public Works and Keep Reading Beautiful, invites residents to join in the Annual Spring City-Wide Cleanup, part of the statewide Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful – Pick Up Pennsylvania program.

Volunteers are encouraged to participate and help beautify our city! Supplies for the cleanup, including bags and gloves, will be available for pickup at the City Park basketball courts and can be returned to the same location upon completion.

Be a part of the change and volunteer today! Sign up at tinyurl.com/RDGCleanUp2025.

While improvements are being made to the bandshell, Earth Day will utilize a mobile stage (Stage 1) on Rose Garden Road to feature our musical performances. This year’s performers are Mark James and the Country Sunset Band from 12-1:15 p.m., Jon Smith’s Voyages from 1:30-2:45 p.m., Vuja De and Band from 3-4:15 p.m., and Golden Twine from 4:30-6 p.m.

Near Veteran’s Grove, Livin’ in the Rhythm Interactive Drum Circle will perform at 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.

On Stage 2, we will feature Spirit Wing Native American Music & Dance (a six-time Native American Music Award nominee) and Stoney Boys, as well as Turtle Moon, performing at 1:30 p.m. Beading and Native American cooking will also be demonstrated.

On Stage 3, at the Marbles Court, we will have Pennsylvania Bat Rescue at 12:30 p.m. and Red Creek Wildlife Center at 3:30 p.m.

There will also be an Interactive Poetry Session with Mr T. (Poetry that Works) at 2 p.m., as well as a Walk in the Pollinator Garden at 2:30 p.m.

Food vendors include JR’s Brisket, Schaeffer’s Catering, Southern Side Kitchen, and Tri Boba. They will feature great food options, including vegetarian and vegan options. Bring your appetite!

Non-profit exhibitors include Alvernia/Holleran Center, Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Army Corps of Engineers, Blue Marsh Lake, Bahai of Reading, B.A.R.N. (Berks Agricultural Resource Network), Berks Astronomy, Berks Climate Action, Berks Community Health Center, Berks County Democratic Committee, Berks Democratic Women, Berks Encore, Berks Intercultural Alliance, Berks Nature, Berks Stands Up, Berks Youth Voter Initiative, Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club, Cease Fire PA, Citizens Climate Lobby, City Nature Challenge Berks, the City of Reading, 18th Wonder Improvement Association, Eastern PA Water Pollution Control Operators Assocation, Fair Districts PA, Garden Club of Reading, Governor Mifflin Environmental Club, Horn Farm, League of Women Voters of Berks County, Mengel Natural History, Miller-Keystone Blood Bank, NAACP, New Earth, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center/Friends of Nolde, PA Bipartisan Climate Initiative, PA Bureau of Immunizations, PA Department of Health, PA Native Plant Society, PASA (PA Sustainable Agriculture), Penn Environment, RAWA, Reading Healthy Homes Program, Reading Meeting of Friends, Reading Hospital – Tower Health, Reading Public Library, Reading Youth Commission, Rock Hollow Woods, Schuylkill River Greenways Association, Sierra Club, Party Socialist and Liberation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Urban Worm Farmer, What ‘SUP Berks, and Widoktadwen Center for Native Knowledge.

Among our for-profit exhibitors, you can find information about healthy living, recycling, refillable containers, native plantings, and sustainable choices. For-profit exhibitors include Alpek Polyester, Bright Communications, Kava Earth, Betula’s Botanica, Cougle’s Recycling, Dr. Super’s House of Health, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Palo Magazine, Oak Street Health, East Penn Manufacturing, Kuhn Funeral Home, Refillable Goods, Schneider Electric, UGI Utilities, and Wildcraft Landscapes.

This year’s Earth Day sponsors include:

• Platinum: The City of Reading and Reading Public Works Department.
• Gold: Kimberton Whole Foods, Penske Truck Leasing, and Cougle’s Recycling.
• Silver: J.P. Mascaro and Sons, East Penn Manufacturing, Enersys, Natural Awakenings Magazine, UGI Utilities, and Brentwood Industries.
• Bronze: Entech Engineering, Dr Supers House of Health, Schneider Electric, Allegheny Towing & Salvage, Berks Container Recovery, Berks County Democratic Committee, Blanski Energy Management, Sanco Sound and Light, Palo Magazine, and Penn State University – Berks.

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Source: bctv