Celebrate Regional Folklife and America's 250th at Heemet Fescht Sept. 26

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Heemet Fescht celebrates America's 250th with live music in the barnyard, traditional crafts, presentations, folklife demonstrations, hearth-cooking, farm animals, children's activities and more. Indulge your interest in regional folk culture at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center's Heemet Fescht 2026: a celebration of Pennsylvania Dutch folklife and America's 250th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Heemet (pronounced HAY-met) means "home" in Pennsylvania Dutch. Located on the historic Sharadin Farmstead at Kutztown University at 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, the event is free, fun and educational for the whole family.

Enjoy selections from the region's finest in traditional music, with performances in the barnyard featuring Pennsylvania Dutch and Palatine German folk music by Scott Reagan, traditional Berks County favorites from the Mike Hertzog Trio and Pennsylvania Dutch music by Keith Brintzenhoff. Join Freyberger Professor of Pennsylvania German Studies Dr. William Donner in the schoolhouse to learn about the history of Pennsylvania German Education. Two special presentations to celebrate America's 250th will feature "Pennsylvania Germans and the Revolution" by Patrick Donmoyer, and "Popular Songs from the Revolution to Vietnam" by Keith Brintzenhoff.

Traditional artisans from the Reading-Berks Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen will share their expertise in fine crafts in the historic log cabins onsite, along with folklife demonstrators in woodworking, tin smithing, blacksmithing and more throughout the farm. Learn about barn stars and hex signs with preeminent painter Eric Claypoole, who has painted more than 100 barns throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and will be demonstrating his traditional barn art. Grab a burger or savor some French Fries from the Kutztown Lion's Club stand in the barnyard. Visit the Sharadin farmhouse to see open-hearth regional cookery in the kitchen featuring traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food. Be sure to stop by the summer kitchen to taste traditional baked goods by Terry Berger on the wood stove. Children can explore autumn craft activities including pumpkin painting and cut paper scherenschnitte. Puddin Heartland's extraordinary potbellied pigs will also delight visitors of all ages.

Don’t forget to visit our new headquarters at the DeLight E. Breidegam Building to explore our featured exhibition highlighting the healing traditions from the era of the American Revolution: "Healing Herbs and Vibrant Roots: Transatlantic Botanical Traditions Among the Pennsylvania Dutch." Pick up a copy of Decorated Barns of the Pennsylvania Dutch in Northern Berks County, a new collaborative publication with the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania. For more information, follow the Heritage Center on Facebook and Instagram, visit the Heritage Center website or call 610-683-1589.