Joanna Furnace in Robeson Township will hold its annual Christmas celebration Dec. 6-8. Christmas at Joanna offers the flavor of an 1874 holiday celebration in the ironmaking community near Morgantown. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6 and 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8.
More than 1,000 luminaries will light walkways at the site. Each building is illuminated by lamps or candles to recreate an 1870s atmosphere. Reenactors will be on site. Victorian dancing will take place with the Hay Creek Dancers and Hay Creek Valley Gold Band. Guests are invited to participate.
A roaring bonfire is the focal point of the event. There will be performances by local organizations and an appearance by the Belsnickel.
Wagon rides are available for $2 per person. Kids activities include a craft workshop, face painting and a Christmas light maze. Metal casting demonstrations will take place each evening, and a vintage train display will be in operation.
Holiday foods will be available along with an opportunity to shop for gifts and home decor.
Admission is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under get in free. Parking is free on-site. Joanna Furnace is located 3 miles north of Morgantown off Route 10.
‘Nutcracker’ ballet
Berks Ballet Theatre’s annual production of “The Nutcracker” is scheduled for Dec. 21 at 1 and 6 p.m. and Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium. Tickets start at $43 and are available at BerksBalletTheatre.com.
The ballet features 25 BBT company dancers, 35 Berks Ballet Theatre Conservatory of Dance students and four professional guest artists, all accompanied by the Reading Pops Orchestra.
Holiday Lights and more
This year’s Holiday Lights display at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area runs Wednesdays through Sundays from Dec. 4 to 29 at the Spring Township park. Operating hours are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and parking and admission are free.
Visitors can stroll the grounds to view the light display, enjoy food and beverages from local food trucks, warm up next to the fire pit and listen to music in the outdoor pavilion each night starting at 5:45. A model train display will be in the former generator station on the bridge. Santa Claus will make appearances throughout the month.
Other special programming includes the sensory-friendly night on Dec. 11 and Winter Solstice Celebration on Dec. 21.
See Facebook events @berkscountyparks for up-to-date information on musical acts and food and beverage offerings each night.
Other county parks activities in December:
Dec. 7, Kids Holiday Craft Workshop, noon to 3 p.m., Heritage Center, Bern Township. Drop in to make some holiday crafts and visit Santa. For kids ages 3 and up. Free.
Dec. 12, Trail Tales, 10 to 11 a.m., Heritage Center. Discover plants and animal friends. Geared towards children ages 3 – 5. Free but registration required at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Dec. 14, Beidler House Holiday Open House, noon to 6 p.m., Robeson Township. Visit a historic 18th century home to experience the feel of a Colonial-era Pennsylvania German Christmas featuring cooking demonstrations, festive dancing, music and crafts. Free.
To learn more email LGauker@BerksPA.gov or call 610-374-2944 ext. 2611.
Christkindlmarkt
The Reading Liederkranz Christkindlmarkt will be held Nov. 29, through Dec. 1. Hours are Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 8 and Sunday from noon to 5. The Liederkranz is located at 143 Spook Lane in Lower Alsace Township.
More than 45 mostly local vendors will be selling items such as artisan candy, handcrafted gift items and German goodies. The Outside Kitchen will be offering food for guests to enjoy while they shop, and a selection of holiday beers and cocktails will be available. There will be sit-down dining available with a special German holiday menu.
Admission is $5 for ages 18-65, all others are free. More information is available at www.readingliederkranz.com/christkindlmarkt.
Cloister by candlelight
Ephrata Cloister, 632 W. Main St., presents a chance to experience the historic site by candlelight on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $8 per person ages 5 and up. Local craftspeople will be on hand to share their stories and display and sell their wares.
Visitors are invited to attend one of three Ephrata Cloister Chorus performances at 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30. Seating is limited.
Costumed guides and historic demonstrators will welcome guests, and food trucks will be on hand to enjoy after the visit..
Tickets are available at www.ticketleap.events/tickets/ephrata-cloister-associates/candlelight-open-house-2024
Open house
There will be an open house on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Leesport Area Historical Society, 128 Main St.
Visit the 1858 schoolhouse that served the community until 1961. See original school items and local and regional artifacts including a 1750s Quaker marriage certificate as well as 20 years of memorabilia. Santa will make an appearance, and there will be festive face painting.
Sing Messiah
The 46th Annual Sing Messiah is set for Sunday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. in West Lawn United Methodist Church, 15 Woodside Ave. The audience is the choir supporting vocal soloists accompanied by the Berks Chamber Orchestra performing “Messiah” by George Frideric Handel.
Scores are available on a limited basis; bring your own if you have one. There is seating for those just wishing to enjoy the music. Admission by free will offering.
Soloists are Katherine Crusi, soprano; Maria Damore, alto; John Coakley, tenor; and Kent Bollman, bass/baritone. William Snelling leads the Berks Chamber Orchestra, a sub-group of the Reading Pops Orchestra.
Twinklepalooza
Wyomissing’s Twinklepalooza holiday house decorating contest is back for another season. To register or nominate someone with an especially bright and festive display, email rmckinley@wyomissingboro.org with your name, street address, and contact number or email address. Judging takes place on Dec. 22, with winners announced the next day. Winning houses will be honored with Santa Sacks of goodies and bragging rights for the entire year.
For more information, follow Wyomissing Parks & Recreation on social media or contact the department.
Wreaths Across America
Indiantown Gap National Cemetery is serving as a Wreaths Across America location for the 20th year. More than 4,500 participating locations and 3 million volunteers will place wreaths on veterans’ graves on Dec. 14.
The military cemetery near Annville is seeking help with sponsorships. Sponsorships can be placed at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/PA0407 or by mailing a check to FOWI. P.O. Box 876, Jonestown, PA 17038. See the website for volunteering opportunities as well.
The goal is to raise enough funds to place 45,000 sponsored veterans’ wreaths on the headstones of all those laid to rest at Indiantown Gap.
Mammogram event
The Reading Hospital Mobile Mammography Coach will visit Muhlenberg Community Library on Dec. 2. Appointments are required. If you are due for a screening and would like to schedule, call Tower Health at 484-628-8611 to register. The library is located at 3612 Kutztown Road, Laureldale.
Spirit on Tap
The Rev. Stephen Ohnsman will present “Open and Affirming – Why It Matters,” at Spirit on Tap on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m. in the DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn St., Reading.
Ohnsman, pastor of Calvary United Church of Christ in Reading, will present how his congregation came to believe that inclusion and radical welcome are the best ways to express the basic principles of the Christian faith.
Source: Berkshire mont
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