Calendar of Events

2020 Events

Due to the pandemic and out of an abundance of caution,  we are currently not holding in-person events at this time. However, we are working with musicians, performers, and artists to bring our events directly to you in the comfort of your own home.

Virtual Christmas on the Farm - December 5th, 2020 - 10am-4pm

The holidays are probably going to look a little different this year for all of us, but we still love hearing from all our friends and members during this special season. We had such fun interacting with everyone during our Virtual Heemet Fescht that we decided to do it again for Christmas on the Farm! Come join us on December 5th on Facebook LIVE from 10am until 4pm. Be on the lookout for more updates including our line-up of musicians, speakers, presenters – and of course, the Belsnickel! We hope you can join us!

Christmas on the Farm event poster: Red barn wood background with snowflakes across it. On the left is a set of 4 Christmas baubles with hex signs and barn stars in the middle. The text reads, "Virtual Christmas on the Farm. December 5th, 2020 on Facebook Live. 10am until 4pm." The right showcases the speakers and their photos including Benjamin Rader, Keith Brintzenhoff, Terry Berger, Dan Aruta, Mike and Linda Hertzog, and an Interview with the Belsnickel. More information can be found in the text box below.
Virtual Christmas on the Farm Lineup:
  • A Studio Visit with Benjamin Rader - 10:00 am

Benjamin Rader is an artist and musician who lives and works in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania. As a speaker of Pennsylvania Dutch with a transatlantic family, Ben's work weaves the geometry, poetry, faces and places of the culture into unique compositions both visual and musical. He creates a mosaic, or stained-glass effect, as well as the written word of the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.

Join Ben for a visit to the studio, where we can see and hear his visionary works at 10:00am on December 5th.

  • Music, Jokes, and Dialect with Keith Brintzenhoff – 11:00 am

Keith is a local expert on Pennsylvania German music, dance, instruments, and folklore. He plays a variety of string instruments, tells some of the world's best stories and jokes, and does lively kid's shows. He calls and teaches hoedowns, and leads the Toad Creek Ramblers. He studied autoharp with some of the world's best. Keith has researched the mountain dulcimer and its PA German connections. He also plays guitar and old-time banjo.

Be sure to tune in to Facebook Live at 11:00am on December 5th to join in on the fun!

  • Terry Berger’s PA Dutch Kitchen – 12:00 pm

Terry Berger comes to us from “Lay or Bust Farms” in Lehighton, PA. Terry is a member of the Moravian Church, and spent his childhood learning many delicious recipes by watching his mother cook in the kitchen. Terry has been the Summer Kitchen chef at The Kutztown Folk Festival and the Heritage Center for many years. He not only cooks traditional recipes, but is also eager to speak to folks in the PA Dutch language. When he’s not on site or at another location demonstrating, you can find Terry cooking or baking with his own wood burning stove, quilting, or canning. He has a huge flock of chickens to keep him company along with two sweet dogs.

Join us in watching Terry whip up something delicious at 12:00pm on Saturday, December 5th!

  • Pinecraft Log Homes with Dan Aruta – 1:00 pm

Join us in watching the work of seasoned traditional craftsman and carpenter Daniel Aruta of Pinecraft Log Homes, based in Oley, Berks County. Dan demonstrations the techniques used to build many of the earliest log homes in America such as felling trees to hewing logs, cutting joinery and raising walls. Although Dan's training in log homes took place in the Ozarks, these mountain communities trace some of their traditions to the broader Pennsylvania diaspora.

Watch this rare experience of at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 5th.

  • A Folk Music Christmas with Mike & Linda Hertzog – 2:00 pm

Christmas on the Farm would be incomplete without Mike & Linda Hertzog performing traditional Pennsylvania Dutch and holiday favorites. This dynamic duo has performed throughout the United States and recently in Germany. They are well known throughout the region for their annual performances of the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch New Year's Wish blessing, also known as the “Longswamp New Years Wish”, previously performed with Peter Fritsch. Mike and Linda will be sure to keep toes tapping this holiday season.

Get ready to enjoy a medley of bluegrass, PA Dutch, and Christmas songs at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 5th.

  • An Interview with the Belsnickel – 3:00 pm

Christmas is right around the corner which means Belsnickel is on his way! Although this year’s Christmas festivities may be socially distanced, that doesn’t mean you are allowed to misbehave! We all know this is when the Belsnickel leaves his otherworldly home to see if we have been good or bad. During Virtual Christmas on the Farm Heritage Center Director, Patrick Donmoyer, will be sitting down with the creature to get his side of the story. Learn more about this enigmatic figure in Pennsylvania Dutch folklore!

Watch if you dare at 3:00 pm on Saturday, December 5th.