Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center hosts crafts, live music and more
By Martin Danek
Heemet Fescht will be celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with live music in the barnyard, traditional crafts, presentations, folklife demonstrations, hearth-cooking, farm animals, children’s activities and more. Heemet (pronounced HAY-met) means “home” in Pennsylvania Dutch.
The event will take place at Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. Located on the historic Sharadin Farmstead at Kutztown University at 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, the event is free to attend.
Performances will be in the barnyard featuring Pennsylvania Dutch and Palatine German folk music by Scott Reagan, the Mike Hertzog Trio and Pennsylvania Dutch music by Keith Brintzenhoff.
Freyberger Professor of Pennsylvania German Studies Dr. William Donner will discuss the history of Pennsylvania German Education in the schoolhouse. Two presentations to celebrate America’s 250th include “Pennsylvania Germans and the Revolution” by Patrick Donmoyer, and “Popular Songs from the Revolution to Vietnam” by Keith Brintzenhoff.
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. Hex sign painter Eric Claypoole, who has painted more than 100 barns throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, will be demonstrating his traditional barn art.
Burgers and french fries will be provided by the Kutztown Lion’s Club stand in the barnyard. Open-hearth cookery will be demonstrated in the Sharadin farmhouse, featuring traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food. In the summer kitchen, Terry Berger will be making baked goods on the wood stove.
Autumn craft activities including pumpkin painting and cut paper scherenschnitte will be provided for children. Puddin Heartland’s potbellied pigs will also appear at the event.
For more information, follow the Heritage Center on Facebook and Instagram, visit the Heritage Center website or call 610-683-1589.