On Saturday August 5th the 275th Anniversary of the City of Reading will be celebrated at the Pagoda with a public family friendly event. PagodaFest will include live entertainment, food vendors, activities and information about the Pagoda.
The event runs 2pm-8pm in the parking lot outside of the Pagoda and coincides with the Reading Gravity League Skyline race from the Fire Tower to Drenkel Field 1pm-4pm.
Reading’s own Sir Hamilton Newton will be the MC with the following acts taking to the stage: 3pm The Hoop Mistresses, 4pm Uncle Jake and the 18 Wheel Gang, 5pm Jon Smith’s Voyages, and 7pm John King Dance Band.
At 6pm there will be two contests. A Hot Dog Relay where teams of 5 members eat 1 hot dog each in a relay style. First team to finish wins. Pre registration is not required but encouraged. Participation is free but limited to 10 teams. Contest rules and registration form can be found at the following link: https://forms.gle/wwLdZVEHV5dnpSHK8
Following the Hot Dog Relay there will be a Pagoda Icon Contest. PagodaFest attendees are encouraged to wear their best Pagoda gear to the festival to enter to win one of three awards: Most Vintage Pagoda Apparel, Most Pagoda Items Worn and Most Creative. Attendees can sign up for this contest for free at the event.
In addition to the stage entertainment there will be activities and vendors. Activities include face painting, chalk art, cornhole, magic, henna art and temporary tattoos. The 275th Anniversary Committee, Foundation for the Reading Pagoda, Berks History Center, Pagoda Skyline and City of Reading Public Works will be present to share information and sell Pagoda themed items.
To get to PagodaFest organizers suggest three ways:
Park at the Central Middle School garage at 12th and Walnut Street for free and take a shuttle to the festivities. There will be 2 shuttles running continuous loops up and down. Lot capacity is 340 spaces so please carpool if possible.
Ride your bicycle up Duryea Drive or one of the bike trails. There will be bike valet parking at the top.
Hike up via one of the trails on Mt Penn that lead to the Pagoda.
Road closures and detours:
Duryea Drive from Shearer Road to the Pagoda will be closed to all vehicular traffic except for the shuttle. Local traffic on Duryea going to Hill Road or Shearer Road will not be impacted by the road closures. Skyline Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at the Fire Tower for the Reading Gravity League Race.
More information about PagodaFest can be found on the City of Reading 275th Anniversary website at readingpa.gov/visitors/275
