GEIGERTOWN PA – The apple dumplings are fresh. Fires beneath cauldrons, filled with hand-made soups, are glowingly hot. Bargains still await from vendors and flea market tables.
So what’s a little rain?
As of Sunday (Oct. 11, 2026) at 8 a.m., the annual Hay Creek Apple Festival and Flea Market was operating and open to the public for its scheduled second day, through 3 p.m. The event is being held by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association at Joanna Furnace, 1250 Furnace Rd., Geigertown PA.
The association’s promotions promised rain-or-shine activities. It’s delivering them.
Be forewarned, though. The association website acknowledges that, “in the event of inclement weather, the event hours may be altered (or limited) and/or specific days could be canceled.”
The best advice being offered Sunday is to call Joanna Furnace before making the trek. Its phone number is 610-286-0388.
All photos by Travels With The Post
A Combination of Fun and History
The apple festival was packed with people Saturday (Oct. 10) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., thanks in part to plenty of sun and pleasant temperatures. It likely will be less busy during its Sunday follow-up.
It is planned to continue despite the wet weather and clouds hanging over Berks County. Rain is expected to persist throughout the day. All are remnants of former Hurricane Isaisas (now downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone).
However, its food stalls are famous for staples like chicken pot pie soup, and several other varieties. Those tasty dumplings or their alternative, apple crisp, also may be considered worth the trip.
Several historic Joanna Furnace buildings were open Saturday to visitors. They met with garbed interpreters who told the story of, and answered questions about, the 19th-century ironworks and village.
They also demonstrated the process of charcoal making, displayed actual Joanna Furnace stoves and products, as well as recovered archaeological artifacts.
Visitors were invited to see a brand new exhibit in the Blowing Engine House, too. It focuses on the Joanna Furnace hot-blast system, which was installed in 1888. It sent blasts of air into the furnace, stoking its temperature with the help of a 15’ Weimer blowing engine.
Our “Post Road Trip” and “Post Photo Gallery” reporting offers in-depth descriptive and visual looks – using photos, videos, and multimedia items – of places visited, events attended, and things seen within and beyond Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Also, see and follow the Travels With The Post page on Facebook.
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