Festivals
HAY CREEK FESTIVAL - September 8 – 10, 2017. (rain or shine)
Attractions 10 am to 5 pm daily. Free shuttle busses run continuously throughout the day.
Welcome to the Hay Creek Festival. In the 41st year our heritage festival is the most diverse event in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Today 1,500 volunteers bring together two centuries of history with authentic demonstrations of early American trades and crafts, mechanical technology exhibits, old time music, and a modern craft & antique market. So "Step into the Past" and immerse yourself in a history that our forefathers would be proud of experiencing.
Meet the Joanna Villagers
Here ye! Here ye! The Hay Creek Festival takes pride in offering authentic traditional crafts and tradesmen with daily demonstrations taking place throughout the 26-acre Joanna Furnace ironmaking community. Visitors will experience what life was like 200 years ago in the quaint village of Joanna Furnace and see the hands-on skills of the 18th & 19th century townsfolk. Our community includes food preserving, laundress, weaver, seamstress, soap maker, broom maker, potter, tinsmith, gunsmith and pewter maker. The village woodworkers will be busy demonstrating adzing, pipe drilling, coopering and cutting timbers on a one-of-a-kind pit saw. Mail call takes place at 2 pm each day as the Villagers gather at town square to talk about the daily happenings.
Visitors will meet the Joanna Villagers as they tour the historic Joanna Furnace iron plantation and learn about the historic iron furnace operation. Guests will see a “Smithy” shape iron in the Blacksmith Shop, talk to the furnace moulder in the Casting House about making the Joanna 10-plate stoves, visit the storekeeper in the Office/Store Building to see the latest products offered for sale, and experience what life was like for the collier at the Charcoal Barn Museum. The ironmaster will also be available in his home to give personal insight into his profitable business.
Demonstrators and interpreters wishing to be a part of the Joanna Furnace Villagers click here to download a registration form.
Saturday 7 am to 5 pm and Sunday 7 am to 3 pm
The event will be held rain or shine.
Free Admission / Parking Donation Requested
Everything About Apples All Day Long!
It's the peak of apple harvesting time. During this beautiful fall season, the Hay Creek Apple Festival offers a wonderful day with some great family fun. All ages will enjoy the brisk fall air and savor the delicious array of homemade Hay Creek apple specialties. The Festival's home is Historic Joanna Furnace off of Route 10. Parking is on site with a parking donation. Every imaginable apple food is available throughout the day. . . from fresh cider to fritters, pies, tarts and dumplings and so much more. And, you can start the day with an all-you-can-eat apple pancake breakfast, served from 7 am to 11 am. The apple cider press will be featured with continuous demonstrations and fresh apple cider for your purchase.
Traditional apple foods like "Schnitz und Knepp" (apples, dumplings and ham)and apple butter are always a special treat; as well as Mabel's Kettle Soup, cooked to perfection over the open fire. Additional festive foods and beverages will be served. The Apple Dessert Contest is open to all those who love to bake. Click here for details. Bring your entries (pies, cakes breads & muffins and Heritage Recipes) to the Festival Food Court area between 8 am and 9 am. You can also purchase our Apple Recipe Booklet with the winning recipes from last year’s event.
Numerous family activities round out the festival. These family events include scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, early American games, hay and pony rides. The children will especially love a ride on the Apple Barrel Express. Visitors can also shop at the flea market area that offers over 100 vendors with crafts, flowers, fall items and an array of unexpected items for anyone's interest.Click here for Flea Market Vendor Details.
If inclement weather occurs, the event will extend into the next day.
CHRISTMAS AT JOANNA - Friday – Sunday, December 1 – 3, 2017.
Time: Friday – 5 to 9 pm and Saturday & Sunday – 4 to 9 pm.