Berks Arts and the Reading Fightin Phils have announced the second annual Berks Summer Fest, celebrating music, food and fun all day on Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The family-friendly day will feature activities for kids and four major concerts for families on the Plaza Stage in the stadium concourse.
Thanks to Berks Arts, the Fightin Phils and title sponsor Supportive Concepts for Families, admission is free for the festival and all performances
“We are looking forward to providing the community with an opportunity to enjoy an exciting day of music and family fun,” said Tish Davis, Berks Arts executive director.
Berks Summer Fest activities and concerts will be held in the Diamond Credit Union Plaza at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with Family Magic by Tyler Reed, who gives immersive and wonder-filled performances at parties, festivals and other events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
At noon, the live music starts with the popular country music singer/songwriter Stephanie Grace, a native of Douglassville who has delighted audiences in Berks County and beyond.
Her original songs are a fresh blend of influences by artists like Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini. She has opened shows for Taylor Swift, the Charlie Daniels Band and other top artists and always creates a special connection with the audience.
In a solo performance, Tom Curtis Sr. will bring American classics from jazz, rock and pop to the stage at 2 p.m.
At 4 p.m., the Edgardo Cintron Inca Band will return to celebrate the music of Santana. Percussionist Cintron is a second-generation Puerto Rican, who has worked with some of the world’s greatest musicians, including the Average White Band, Jeff Lorber, Terence Blanchard, The Funk Brothers, Bobby Lyle, Nick Colionne, Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Marc Berger & Ride will headline the concert finale at 6 p.m. with songs reflecting his years of exploring the American desert and mountain West. Berger has performed at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas, and many other festivals and venues, and has opened for Bob Dylan, among other celebrated artists.
“The R-Phils are excited to partner with Berks Arts and host the Berks Summer Fest here at America’s Classic Ballpark,” said Reading Fightin Phils General Manager Scott Hunsicker. “The lineup is tremendous, and we know that many in the community will enjoy seeing the free concerts in this historic venue.
“In addition to baseball, live music has always been a part of the R-Phils’ affordable family entertainment experience. Berks Summer Fest is an excellent opportunity to continue our commitment to hosting live music at FirstEnergy Stadium.”
In addition to the concerts, families can enjoy food from the stands in the concourse. And children can have fun in the R-Phils Phunland and enjoy games and other activities on Saturday afternoon.
Additionally, Helping Harvest will have a collection bin for food donations on-site at the festival. Guests are encouraged to donate approved items as they enter the stadium.
For more information about Berks Summer Fest, visit berksarts.org/SummerFest.
Awards
The League of American Historic Theaters presented the Historic State Theatre in Boyertown with the prestigious Joe Rosenberg Honorary Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution at its annual conference in Milwaukee, Wis., this past week.
The accolade was awarded to Ken Shaw, a dedicated board member of the Historic State Theatre, in recognition of his exceptional leadership and commitment to the theater’s recent seating renovation project.
Shaw’s tireless efforts were instrumental in the transformation of the Historic State Theatre’s seating, a project that spanned over a year and seven months. Shaw volunteered more than 500 hours to meticulously manage the renovation. His hands-on involvement included the painstaking process of removing each seat, preparing them for shot blasting, reupholstering, powder coating and reinstalling each seat with new components.
Shaw’s efforts were further supported by his wife, Shannon Shaw, who also dedicated her time to the project. Together, the Shaws contributed over 1,000 hours of volunteer work, reflecting their shared commitment to enhancing the theater’s experience. Their collaborative effort ensured the successful completion of the renovation while the theater continued its day-to-day operations.
The renovation project was undertaken to preserve the historical integrity of the theater’s seating while enhancing its comfort and visual appeal. One of the notable improvements included the addition of cupholders, providing a modern upgrade that significantly enhances the audience experience.
The Joe Rosenberg Honorary Award, named in honor of a pioneering advocate for historic theaters, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the preservation and enhancement of historic theater properties.
The Historic State Theatre and its board members expressed their gratitude to Ken and Shannon Shaw for their contributions and to the League of American Historic Theaters for the recognition.
Concerts
Two new shows have been announced for downtown Reading’s Santander Performing Arts Center:
Theory of a Deadman Unplugged, with special guests Saint Asonia and Cory Marks, will perform on Nov. 10. Get the Led Out: A Celebration of “The Mighty Zep” is scheduled for Feb. 7-8.
For tickets and more information, visit ticketmaster.com.
