Weekend Stuff June 13-16: A Past Travels Calendar

POTTSTOWN PA – On the lookout for fun and entertainment? Plenty of events appear on the weekend (June 13-16, 2024) compilation of stuff to do in western Montgomery, eastern Berks, and northern Chester counties.

This weekend offers opportunities to learn the history of, and the human stories behind, the federal holiday called Juneteenth. Pottstown’s Juneteenth Community Celebration, held Saturday, may be the most comprehensive observance and attract the biggest crowds. Special Juneteenth tours of the Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale also are scheduled Saturday over several hours .

Remember, too, Sunday is Father’s Day. Let Dad know how special he is. Take him to any one of five music events on the calendar. Or on a Colebrookdale Railroad train ride. Or across Chester County skies in a balloon.

Some weekend events are free. Some have fees (labeled as “ticketed”). Some have limitations, registrations, or other conditions. Some may be affected by weather conditions (hint: if unsure, call before you go). Each weekend listing includes a link for more information.

Saturday, June 15

• Pottstown Soap Box Derby, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Wilson Street closed between Farmington Avenue and State Street for activities), free to watch, sponsored and operated by the Pottstown AMBUCS, rain date set for June 16 (if needed), trial runs planned June 14; finish line at the intersection of Wilson Street and Farmington Avenue, Pottstown PA,
• Tunnel to Towers Foundation 5K Run and Walk, starts at 9 a.m., ticketed, registration available online, held at Boyertown Area Community Park, 400 block of Madison Street, Boyertown PA
• Green Lane Park Local Market, 9 a.m. to noon, free to attend, featuring locally grown fresh food and vendor offerings, remaining dates: July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, and Oct. 19; held in Green Lane Park at 2298 Green Lane Rd., Green Lane PA
• History Tour and Archaeology Dig, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, explore a historic mill, its history, and how it operated using water power; bring a pair of gloves and join an archaeological crew to uncover its secrets; scheduled every Saturday through September by the Boyertown Area Historical Society; dig may be affected by inclement weather; at Bahr’s Mill, 84 Sawmill Rd, Boyertown PA
• Bubblefest on the Farm with Bluey, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ticketed, with multiple bubble stations, a bounce house, barrel cars, corn pit, yard games, friendly animals, and popular children’s character Bluey; held at Bantam Farm & Roadside Stand, 1823 Farmington Ave., Pottstown PA
• Pollinator Party, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free to attend, featuring talks and information on caterpillars, honeybees, native bees, and creating a pollinator-friendly garden; accompanied by arts, crafts, and other family-friendly activities; hosted by the Friends of Pennypacker Mills, and the Master Gardeners of Penn State Extension in Montgomery County; held at historic Pennypacker Mills, 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville PA
• Juneteenth Tours at the Peter Wentz Farmstead, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free to attend but timed tickets are required by online reservation and space is limited; tours focus on the lives of enslaved people owned by the Wentz family and how their stories connect to the larger history of slavery in early Pennsylvania; the Peter Wentz Farmstead is a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site; held at the farmstead, 2030 Shearer Rd., Lansdale PA
• 7th Annual Art Street Festival, starts at 11 a.m., free to attend; join other art lovers for performances and demonstrations, browse original pieces from 60+ artists in various media and techniques; participate in making art too; held on the 100 and 200 blocks of Bridge Street, Phoenixville PA
• Pottstown Juneteenth Community Celebration, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., free to attend, commemorate Juneteenth with family-friendly activities including recorded music and live bands, basketball 3v3 tournaments, face painting, drumline and dance teams, story-telling, a Black history exhibition, motor cycle and car show, health screenings, moon bounce and other kids’ activities, and other events; held downtown on East High Street between Charlotte and York Streets in Pottstown PA
• “Summer Sangria Weekend” on the Berks County Wine Trail, noon to 5 p.m., free samples (for those of legal age) and no tickets required, with 11 wineries participating in New Tripoli, Bethel, Shoemakersville, Morgantown, Auburn, Reading, Douglassville, Birdsboro, Kutztown, Blandon, and Shartlesville; all offer one or more sangrias for tasting, some have scheduled additional activities, and all are within Berks County PA
• Father’s Day Beef and Beer Train Ride, starts at 1 p.m., ticketed, depending on choice of ticket the ride features a handcrafted roast beef sandwich, creamy coleslaw, oven-roasted potatoes, and one beer of choice (for those of legal age), or soda for those younger than 21; other meals and lighter fare available for adults and children; held at the Colebrookdale Railroad station, 64 S. Washington St., Boyertown PA
• Kids Club Dance Party, 1-4 p.m., ticketed; bar available for parents, soda and water available for kids; food available inside Gatsby’s Pub starting at 4 p.m., hosted by SoulJoel’s at Sunnybrook, outside in the Social House, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA
• Chester County Balloon Festival 2024, opens at 2 p.m., ticketed (purchase available on-site), a rain-or-shine event, free parking, organizers suggest bringing seating, only hand-held umbrellas allowed; held at Willowdale Steeplechase, 101 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square PA
• Father’s Day Beef and Beer Train Ride, starts at 5 p.m., ticketed, depending on choice of ticket the ride features a handcrafted roast beef sandwich, creamy coleslaw, oven-roasted potatoes, and one beer of choice (for those of legal age), or soda for those younger than 21; other meals and lighter fare available for adults and children; held at the Colebrookdale Railroad station, 64 S. Washington St., Boyertown PA
• Tumbling and a Movie Night, 5:30-8:30 p.m., ticketed, tumbling fun followed by a Disney movie with drinks and a snack, a drop-off event; held at 300 Main St., Schwenksville PA
• Music: All Ages Country Extravaganza, 6-11 p.m., ticketed, featuring liven music by the Stephanie Grace Band from 6-8 p.m., and all-request line dancing on the patio starting at 8:30 p.m.; also, ride the mechanical bull, play yard games, enjoy a bonfire and drink and food specials; at Island Pizza, 3060 Limekiln Rd., Birdsboro PA
• 5th Annual Tattoo Bingo, starts at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.), ticketed, proceeds benefit the Transplant Alliance Foundation, held at State Street Entertainment Hall, 799 State St., Pottstown PA
• Music: “Paradi$e” (Eddie Money Tribute), starts at 7 p.m., ticketed, all ages welcome, held at Rivet: Canteen & Assembly, in its Foundry Hall at 238 E. High St., Pottstown PA
• Star Watch at Daniel Boone Homestead, 8:35-11:35 p.m., free, sponsored by Berks Astronomy, watch stars and other celestial objects from the homestead’s southern field; dress warmly, bring a red light and binoculars, and watch through supplied telescopes, at the homestead, 400 Daniel Boone Rd., Birdsboro PA

Balloon photo by Ali Abdul Rahman on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license

Sunday, June 16

• Father’s Day Cruise-In, 8 a.m. to noon, free, all makes and models welcome, hosted by the Eastwood Company’s Pottstown store, at the store, 263 Shoemaker Rd., Pottstown PA
• “Summer Sangria Weekend” on the Berks County Wine Trail, noon to 5 p.m., free samples (for those of legal age) and no tickets required, with 11 wineries participating in New Tripoli, Bethel, Shoemakersville, Morgantown, Auburn, Reading, Douglassville, Birdsboro, Kutztown, Blandon, and Shartlesville; all offer one or more sangrias for tasting, some have scheduled additional activities, and all are within Berks County PA
• Sunday-Only Golfers’ Special, noon to 9 p.m., ticketed, buy two regular-priced players tickets for miniature golf and get a third ticket at half-price, sponsored by the Pottstown Borough Parks and Recreation Department, for information call the course during business hours at 610-970-6607; at Manatawny Green Miniature Golf, 71 W. High St., Pottstown PA
• Father’s Day Beef and Beer Train Ride, starts at 1 p.m., ticketed, depending on choice of ticket the ride features a handcrafted roast beef sandwich, creamy coleslaw, oven-roasted potatoes, and one beer of choice (for those of legal age), or soda for those younger than 21; other meals and lighter fare available for adults and children; held at the Colebrookdale Railroad station, 64 S. Washington St., Boyertown PA
• Chester County Balloon Festival 2024, opens at 2 p.m., ticketed (purchase available on-site), a rain-or-shine event, free parking, organizers suggest bringing seating, only hand-held umbrellas allowed; held at Willowdale Steeplechase, 101 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square PA
• Music: Backyard Concert with Jeff Krick as Elvis, 2-5 p.m., ticketed, at Ridgewood Winery, 215 Township Line Rd., Bechtelsville PA

Earlier

Thursday, June 13

• Community and Commerce Awards Celebration, 7:30-9 a.m., ticketed, hosted by the Upper Perkiomen Chamber of Commerce, acknowledging valuable contributions of businesses, organizations, and individuals within our community, held at the Perkiomen School, 200 Seminary St., Pennsburg PA
• Chester County Historic Tour: Coventryville, 5:30 to 7 p.m., free, tour the historic village and celebrate Coventryville United Methodist Church’s 250th anniversary; tour groups will be taken via shuttle bus to Coventryville; parking and on-site registration at Warwick County Park, 191 County Park Rd., Pottstown PA
• Pottstown Play Streets, 5:30-7:30 p.m., free, hosted by the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department; an award-winning community engagement where families can play games, be entertained, find out what’s going on around town, learn about available community resources, and talk with neighbors; held at Washington- West Street Park, 433 West St., Pottstown PA
• Pottstown Schools’ Facilities and Finance Committee Meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., free to attend; held virtually, for specifics call the district office at 610-323-8200 in Pottstown PA
• Pottstown Schools’ Public Relations and Community Engagement Committee Meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m., free to attend; held virtually, for specifics call the district office at 610-323-8200 in Pottstown PA

Friday, June 14

• “Regional Home Garden Contest” registration, around the clock online, free to participate, sponsored by Mosaic Community Land Trust, Building A Better Boyertown, and the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation; open to area residents with prizes awarded in several categories, registration deadline June 21, in Pottstown PA, Boyertown PA, and vicinity
• Start of the Delaware River Sojourn, ticketed, travel the “River of Inspiration,” as it’s currently being promoted, from Damascus PA to Phillipsburg NJ on an eight-day paddle of its of the upper, middle, lower and tidal sections, accompanied by camping and daily tours or projects; starts with a volunteer river clean-up; when accepted registration will be online
• Juneteenth Celebration and Kids Storytime, starts at 11 a.m., free (but a $2 per person donation is suggested); visit the museum for a focus on Black history in America, and the incredible stories and people who made it happen, children of all ages welcome but the event is most appropriate for those age 5-9; held at Pottsgrove Manor, 100 W. King St., Pottstown PA
• Chester County Balloon Festival 2024, opens at 4 p.m., ticketed (purchase available on-site), a rain-or-shine event, free parking, organizers suggest bringing seating, only hand-held umbrellas allowed; held at Willowdale Steeplechase, 101 E. Street Rd., Kennett Square PA
• Food Truck Friday, 5-9 p.m., free to attend with food and beverages available for purchase; scheduled trucks include Fruits of Our Labors Smoothies, WOW Wagon, Sunset Hill Brewery, and Pot Luck Truck; held by the Boyertown YMCA in its upper lot, 301 W. Spring St., Boyertown PA
• Music: “The Punkabillys” live in concert, starts at 6 p.m., free and all ages welcome, featuring “rockabilly rhythms and Irish and Celtic melodies,” sponsored by and held at Rivet: Canteen & Assembly, in its outdoor courtyard at 238 E. High St., Pottstown PA
• Secret Valley Explorers Railbike Adventure, 6-9 p.m., ticketed, a leisurely, pedal-powered railbike ride into the tall forests of the Secret Valley; leaving from the Colebrookdale Railroad station at 64 S. Washington St., Boyertown PA
• Music: “Romeo Delight’s Van Halen Experience,” starts at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.), ticketed, at by SoulJoel’s at SunnyBrook, in the SunnyBrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA
• Sober Social Water Tasting, with Katie Bean, starts at 7:30 p.m., ticketed, hosted by Nectar Yoga Studio, taste-test a variety of sparkling waters and non-alcoholic beverages, accompanied by a list of mocktail recipes and drinks to try at home; held at 222 Third Ave., Phoenixville PA

Punkabillys logo used by Travels With The Post from the band’s Facebook page

Weekend events are curated from a variety of sources, including public submissions. Got a weekend (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holiday Mondays) event you’d like us to add? Send it to travelswiththepost@gmail.com.

Top illustration by rexandpan on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license