Muhlenberg Township Parks & Recreation presents Drift Jam on Saturday, July 20, at Jim Dietrich Park. The two-part event includes adventure on the Schuylkill River followed by music, food and company at the park.
The Kayaking Adventure portion of the event is tailored for paddlers with some experience. Participants will gather at 2 p.m. by the launch area (near the red brick pavilion) at the park. Take It Outdoors will provide shuttling services, kayak rentals, and an overview of the day’s activities.
Cost is $55 for a single kayak rental; $25 if you bring your own equipment (PFD required). Reservations are mandatory, must be made in advance and are limited to 36 participants.
The second part of the day runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The band lineup features Chaos Theory from 4 to 6 p.m. and Reggae Thunder from 6:30 to 9. Food vendors will be on-site.
For questions or to make a reservation, call 610-929-4727, go to www.muhlenbergtwp.com or visit the Facebook event page for Drift Jam.
Book sale
The Friends of Sinking Spring Public Library Book Sale will be held at 3940 Penn Ave. on Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Items include books, CDs, DVDs, puzzles and games. A $5 Bag Sale — books only — will take place Saturday.
County parks
The Berks County Parks and Recreation Department is presenting the following events in July:
Art in the Park: Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Bingaman House, Lower Alsace Township. Get crafty, explore green spaces, and head out onto the trails of Antietam Lake Park. Geared toward children 7-12. Registration required, and fee is $40 per child.
Creek Peek: Thursday, 6-8 p.m., Heritage Center Bern Township. Take a peek at the ecology of a creek. Free but registration required.
Summer Evening Starwatch: Friday, 9 p.m., Angora Fruit Farm, Lower Alsace Township. Join members of the Berks County Astronomical Society for an evening gazing at the night sky through powerful telescopes. Free. Registration suggested.
Drop-In Art Camp: July 17, 9 a.m.- noon, Bingaman House. Adventurers ages 7-12 get ready to explore the colors of the wild. Registration required, and fee is $10 per child.
Know Return concert, July 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Gring’s Mill Recreation Area, Spring Township. Food trucks will be present. Free admission.
A Brush with History, July 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Heritage Center. Art show featuring local artists will celebrate its opening day in the stone farmhouse. Show runs until the last weekend of October. Free.
The Organic Artist: July 21, 1-3 p.m., Heritage Center. Bring the kids out for a DIY experience making eco-friendly paints. Registration required, $5 fee per child.
Sunset Paddle: July 24, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Blue Marsh Lake Church Road access. Experience a sunset from a paddleboard. Registration required. Cost is $30 per person. Register at aopaddle.simplybook.me/v2/#book-class/service/49
Family Fishing Day: July 27 6 p.m., Antietam Lake Park. Join parks staff and rangers for an evening of fishing fun. Free but registration required.
Pennsylvania Wildlife: July 28, 6 p.m., Gring’s Mill barn. Red Creek Wildlife Center will offer a presentation on Pennsylvania’s native wild animals, featuring live animal ambassadors. Free but registration required.
To register for programs at county parks,, visit countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program. Email questions to LGauker@BerksPa.gov or call 610-374-2944, ext 2611.
American turns 250
With America's 250th birthday less than two years away, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is hosting a discussion of the celebration of the occasion on how everyone can play a role. It will be led by Chester County Heritage Preservation Coordinator David Blackburn (formerly Hopewell Furnace Site Manager) on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the , July 14, for a discussion of America's 250 and how everyone can play a role. The free program will be held in the Visitor Center Theatre at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.
Centre Park lecture
The Leesport Area Historical Society presents a program on Reading’s Centre Park district Monday, July 22, at 7 p.m. in Bethany EC Church, 308 Main St. Mike Lauter will share the history of the historic neighborhood, its grand mansions and society activities as well as the formation of the organization which preserves it. Parking in rear.
Birds and Brew
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary near Kempton presents Birds and Brew on Aug. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Proceeds support its global conservation research and educational programming.
Attendees get unlimited tastings from more than 20 local breweries, wineries and distilleries along with dinner, a commemorative glass and music by Six to Midnight. Pre-registered admission is $65, and designated drivers and those under 21 can attend and receive food and nonalcoholic drinks for $35. This event will take place in a tent and is rain or shine.
This event acts as a kickoff for the autumn migration season, which begins Aug. 15. Sanctuary staff, trainees, and volunteers will be stationed at the lookouts daily, counting every bird that passes.
For sponsorship information, email jandrasitz@hawkmountain.org. For details about the event and to purchase tickets, visit hawkmountain.org/birdsandbrew.
Book festival trip
The Wyomissing Public Library invites area residents on a one-day bus trip to the National Book Festival in Washington on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The round-trip cost is $75 per person; WPL Association members will receive a $10 discount. The 50-seat bus will leave Wyomissing at 6:30 a.m. The bus will depart Washington at 5:30 p.m. with expected return to Wyomissing at about 9 p.m.
Admission to the festival is free. Meals are not included in the ticket price.
The deadline for reservations is Saturday, July 20; payment must be made by cash or check at the library or online at www.wyopublib.org.
Authors appearing Tomi Adeyemi, author of the “Legacy of Orisha” trilogy;, David Baldacci; graphic novelist Vera Brosgo;, Sandra Cisneros; opera singer and arts advocate Renee Fleming; Erik Larson; historian Doris Kearns Goodwin; James McBride and many many more. To learn more, go to www.loc.gov/events/2024-national-book-festival/festival-information/frequently-asked-questions/.
Alzheimer's conference
The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference will be held Aug. 1 from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.
A no-cost event, “AAIC For All,” provides an opportunity for members of the community to learn about the latest research findings from experts in the field.
AAIC For All takes place Aug. 1 and has separate tracks for community members and clinicians/health care providers.
To learn more and to register, visit alz.org/aaic-for-all.
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