On Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the YMCA of Reading and Berks County and Berks County Parks & Recreation are hosting Healthy Kids Day & Color Fun Run at the Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township. The program is rain or shine.
At 11 a.m., the Kids Color Fun Run will begin for ages 12 & under. Registration is $5 per child for the run and a T-shirt (while supplies last). Proceeds will support scholarships that help kids and families benefit from Y programs and memberships regardless of their ability to pay.
Activities include inflatables, games and activities. There will be a kite building station and face painting along with a spin art bicycle, smoothie cycle, preschool fun and information on resources for parents, caregivers and guardians. Participants are welcome to join in yoga and/or fitness class demonstrations.
Local businesses are invited to set up a table and activities to showcase their offerings, engage with Berks families, and contribute to the festive atmosphere of the day for free. Participation is free, but registration is required at www.YMCArbc.org/hkd.
For more information or to register for the event, visit www.ymcarbc.org or contact Angie Harrison (aharrison@ymcarbc.org) or McKayla Angstadt (mangstadt@ymcarbc.org) at 610-378-4701.
Egg Hunt for Pups
Humane Pennsylvania has rescheduled its third annual Egg Hunt for Pups at the Danielle Ruiz-Murphy Dog Park in Exeter Township to Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It had been set for April 12.
Dogs and their caretakers can enjoy an afternoon outdoors in the fenced-in areas of the dog park at 503 S. Center Road, searching for treat- and prize-filled Easter eggs.
The cost is $10 per dog. Proceeds benefit the animals in Humane Pennsylvania’s care.
Humane Pennsylvania merchandise and raffle prizes will be available for purchase.
Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome. Time slots will be scheduled in 30-minute intervals with groups of 10 dogs, organized by size.
Registration is required online by visiting the Upcoming Events page at HumanePA.org.
Pops concert
The Reading Pops Big Band will perform music from the Swing Era in a free concert celebration of Jazz Appreciation month on Saturday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Reiffton. The American Federation of Musicians supports public concerts through the Music Performance Trust Fund, as administered by Local 135-211.
Iron Pour Festival
GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is holding its Iron Pour Festival on Saturday, April 26, from 3 to 9 p.m. This free-admission, rain-or-shine event will feature live demonstrations, food, music and molten metal reaching 3,000 degrees.
Pour Master Brian Glaze will oversee the pouring of 2,000 pounds of molten iron, a spectacle of heat, precision and artistry.
The event will showcase GoggleWorks’ newly renovated courtyard. There will be music by BRUNO, a food and beer garden and an opportunity for first 50 attendees to carve their own scratch molds.
Graze will offer a special lecture and scratch mold carving class on April 23 from 6 to 9 p.m.
For more details, visit GoggleWorks.org
Courts discussion
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts is presenting a free program on Tuesday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the Wyomissing Public Library, 9 Reading Blvd. The subject is threats to the independence of Pennsylvania’s judiciary. It will focus on the challenges the judicial system faces and how concerned citizens can take action to defend the independence of the courts.
The speakers will be PMC CEO Deborah Gross and Gabriela Raful, former president of the Berks County Bar Association and senior partner at Galfand Berger. Refreshments will be available.
Registration is requested; visit www.wyopublib.org or call 610-374-2385
Civic Luncheon
The Salvation Army Reading Corps is holding its annual Civic Luncheon, themed “Homeruns for Good,” on Wednesday, May 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading. This event brings together business leaders, advocates and community members to rally around those in need of stable and secure housing.
In addition to opportunities to secure sponsorships before the event, guests will hear inspiring stories, connect with others passionate about making a difference and have the chance to contribute through donations and partnerships.
During the event the Salvation Army will give out awards for outstanding community service. The Spirit of Reading Award will be presented to the Reading Fire Department. The Others Award will be given to Salvation Army volunteer Carol Ortwein.
To reserve a seat or sponsor the event, go to give.salvationarmy.org/homerunsforgood.
Plant sale
The Penn State Master Gardeners of Berks County’s spring plant sale will be held Friday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Berks County Agricultural Center, 1238 County Welfare Road, Bern Township.
The event is called “Plant Sale with a Difference” due to the many Master Gardener volunteers on hand to help with plant selections. Customers may request a personal shopping assistant. New this year is a table where Master Gardeners will offer information on soil preparation, planting techniques, vegetable gardening, lawn care, composting and help with gardening problems.
The sale will feature annuals, perennials, flowering shrubs, native plants and houseplants. There will be an expanded selection of native plant plugs. In the big tent there will be hundreds of herb and vegetable seedlings grown from seed by the Master Gardeners. Hanging baskets will be available with a variety of plants.
Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. For more information call 610-378-1327.
Field day
The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society are holding a field day with the Pennsylvania Game Commission on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at State Game Lands 80. The group will meet in the parking lot off Swopes Valley Road near the village of Suedberg.
This field day will focus on efforts to create young forest habitat on mainly private land holdings.
Inclement weather will not cancel the event.
Sturdy walking shoes and work gloves are recommended. Participants should bring shovels. The Game Commission will supply planting bars for those wishing to use them.
Registration is required by April 20. Participants should send their name, address and number of people in their party to cavescorner@comcast.net or via postal mail at John C. Cave, 1220 Milestone Road, Robesonia, PA 19533
The Swopes Valley Road portion of State Game Lands 80 can be reached via Route 645 or Route 443 from the Pine Grove exit of Interstate 81.
Egg hunt
The annual Easter Egg Hunt at Swamp Lutheran Evangelical Church will be held Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. The church is located at 275 Swamp Church Road, Reinholds.
Children ages pre-K through fifth grade are welcome to take part in the hunt. There will be snacks, crafts and prizes. For additional information call 717-336-2849.
Easter Dawn Service
The 112th Easter Dawn Service will take place Sunday, April 20 at 6:30 a.m. at the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower, on Skyline Drive, Lower Alsace Township. The worship service includes readings, music and a presentation by the “Unstoppable Youth” group of Jesucristo Es El Rey (Jesus Christ is King) congregation of Reading. Youth Pastor Jackson Garcia will provide the message, “Hosanna to the King.”
The service is organized by a group of Berks pastors and lay leaders, co-sponsored by Jesucristo Es El Rey and First Baptist Church of Reading, and is broadcast live on WEEU 830 AM.
All attending must enter Skyline Drive from the Pagoda, or south end. The security gate will open early at that entrance only. The gate at List Road (north end of Skyline Drive) must remain closed until 7.
Vigil in Reading
The city of Reading is holding a vigil honoring the victims of the April 8 tragedy in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in which more than 200 people were killed when a nightclub roof collapsed during an event. The vigil is scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 815 Washington St. The effort is being led by city Councillor Vanessa Campos in collaboration with Mayor Eddie Moran.
Plants and More
The Garden Club of Reading is holding a Plants and More sale on Saturday, May 3, in the white tent at the Reading Public Museum. The event will be held rain or shine.
State Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock is inviting older residents to attend her senior fraud prevention event in partnership with the state Attorney General’s office on Tuesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to noon at Crossroads Family Restaurant, 4643 Pottsville Pike, Muhlenberg Township.
The AG office’s director of senior protection will present information on scams and financial exploitation tactics targeting seniors and how to avoid falling victim to them.
Admission is free, and coffee and donuts will be served.
For more information, call 610-921-8921.
AI presentation
In celebration of AI Week, Penn State Berks will host an evening exploring the transformative power of AI for small- to medium-sized businesses on Wednesday, April 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The event will be held in the Flemming Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building. Cost is $20 for dinner (exact payment accepted at the door) and is free for Penn State students with ID. All attendees must register in advance.
The event will begin with registration and networking beginning at 5:30, followed by dinner. Keynote speaker Matt McHale, partner at ArcaSys, LLC, will present “AI in 2025: Opportunities and Applications For Small-to-Medium Businesses.” The event will conclude with a question-and-answer session.
During the keynote presentation, McHale will cover the current state of AI and its evolution from experimental tech to essential business driver. He will also discuss top tools for small- to medium-sized businesses and implementation strategy.
For more information, email Abduallah Konak at AUK3@psu.edu.
Petroglyphs program
The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley is holding an educational program on “The Mysterious Petroglyphs of Safe Harbor” on Wednesday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main St., Ephrata.
Adam Zurn, historian, educator, adventurer and founder of “Unchartered Lancaster,” will recount his expeditions down the lower Susquehanna to explore the mysterious 1,000-year-old Native American petroglyphs hidden in the ancient river rocks at Safe Harbor.
The program is free to the public. Parking lot and entrance in the rear alley. For more information, visit www.cocalicovalleyhs.org or call 717-733-1616.
Belly dance Zumba
A belly dance Zumba program will be held Friday, April 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The benefit for the Muhlenberg Community Library will be led by Jen of Inspire Exercise Together.
It will take place at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4201 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Road, Muhlenberg Township. There is a $15 fee. Register at the library, 3612 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, or call 610-929-0589.
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