Studio B Art Gallery, 39 E. Philadephia Ave., Boyertown, has announced an opening weekend of activities and offerings on June 27–29 around the theme, “The Three Bears,” celebrating the 20th anniversary of Bear Fever, Boyertown’s popular community art project.
The celebration features additional activities and offerings that will continue throughout July and August and is funded by The Berks County Community Foundation.
On June 27, Studio B Art Gallery hosts a “The Three Bears” opening reception from 5-7 p.m. featuring a show of works in all mediums from area artists. The exhibit is free and will run through Aug.24.
Artists were challenged to respond to the meanings of bear and bare as part of the gallery’s “The Three Bears” summer project. The word bear holds many meanings; the homonym bare holds many meanings as well. Artists were also encouraged to respond to the Bear Fever sculptures — perhaps the sponsor’s mission or details that the artist displayed on a sculpture.
Another suggestion was to respond to an aspect or theme from the fairy tale “Goldilocks & the Three Bears” like everything in moderation, respecting others’ space or how actions may hurt others.
The art opening includes the release of a booklet titled “Bear Fever — It’s Catching: Bears of Boyertown Chapter #1,” created by Diane O’Sullivan with the assistance of Grace Gibbins, a 2025 Boyertown High School graduate, featuring 61 Bear Fever sculptures located within Boyertown.
The booklet will be for sale and include photographs and information about the community’s Bear Fever sculptures.
“Folks have been interested in a book of the bears since we began,” said Jane Stahl, Studio B’s director of community relations and co-founder of the Bear Fever project with her husband, Paul. “But we didn’t want to invest in publishing one until the project ends, and who knows when that will be! However, we can add to the booklet in future years, and we’ll have a great start toward a book of all of them if the fever ever ends!”
In addition, the debut of a Bear Fever Facebook page, created by Grace Gibbins, will be announced at the opening. The Bear Fever Facebook page will allow photographs and information about newly-installed bears to be added.
Selfies of Bear Fever fans with their favorite Bear Fever bears will be featured on a TV monitor in the window of Studio B beginning June 27 and continuing throughout the summer. Stahl encouraged people to send photos to studiob@boyertownpa.org to share their love and be part of the show.
On June 28 at 11 a.m., Colebrookdale Railroad invites children to StoryTime on the Train. Bear-themed stories will be read by Creative Minds Montessori School’s directors Mandy Hunter Lobaugh and Judy Hunter. A visit from Boyertown’s lovable mascot Bearianne will welcome the children.
This is a ticketed event. Participation is limited to 25 children. Tickets for the event are available at Studio B Art Gallery, Building a Better Boyertown office, 3 E. Philadelphia Ave., and the ticket booth at Colebrookdale Railroad, 64 S. Washington St. Tickets must be presented in order to participate. Tickets are also good for one free single dip at Colebrookdale Creamery following StoryTime.
Following StoryTime, children are invited to join Destiny Bigler, art instructor at Studio B and Boyertown School District, from 2-4 p.m. to a make and take art activity at Studio B.
On June 29 from 1-3 p.m., Studio B welcomes writers and the community to a writers’ reception. Local writers have submitted poetry and prose responding to meanings of the words bear and bare or an aspect of a Bear Fever bear or “Goldilocks & the Three Bears.” Their poetry and prose will be published in The Boyertown Area Expression digital news site beginning on June 30, boyertownareaexpression.town.news.
Twenty years ago, Bear Fever debuted over 30 bear sculptures at Boyertown High School’s annual Arts Expo. During the summer of 2005, those 30-plus bear sculptures appeared throughout the community. The original sculptures are joined by dozens more — over 90 at last count — and more are in the works.
Music
The Summer Solstice Music Festival is scheduled for Saturday from noon-9 p.m., gates at 11:30 a.m., at Pike Township Sportsmen’s Association, 860 Hill Church Road, Pike Township.
The festival, sponsored by Hillbilly Hooch Moonshine, brings authentic country music stardom to Pennsylvania’s heartland with headliner Ronnie McDowell, the legendary artist whose tribute “The King Is Gone” sold over 5 million copies following Elvis Presley’s death in 1977.
McDowell, a Vietnam veteran from Tennessee, dominated country charts throughout the 1980s with chart-toppers including “Older Women” and “You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation.”
He’ll perform at 7 p.m.
“After weeks of rain and cold weather, people are ready to get outside and enjoy live music under the sun,” said festival promoter John Albright. “We’ve assembled an incredible lineup of genuine Nashville talent, not manufactured stars, but artists with real stories and authentic country roots.”
Other artists set to perform:
• Cliff Waddell & The Twang Gang, 4 p.m.: Nashville recording artist with Lower Broadway residencies
• Mr. Mody & Friends, 2 p.m.: classic rock and country favorites
• Mystic Warrior’s Kevin & Dean, noon: opening the festival with high energy
Special celebrity appearances include Diana Goodman, former Miss Georgia USA, “Hee Haw” cast member and Presley’s former girlfriend, who will be signing copies of her new book “Hollywood Lights, Nashville Nights.”
Professional rodeo legend turned songwriter Jeremy Joe Larsen travels from Wyoming to share his incredible journey from bull riding to Music City.
The festival offers both general admission ($30) and VIP packages ($75) featuring a meet-and-greet with McDowell. The outdoor venue provides the perfect setting for a family-friendly celebration of American music, with full bar and food service available. For tickets and more information, go to summersolsticemusic.com.
Events
West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation (WRCRF) will host the 31st annual Art on the Avenue on June 21 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., spanning the 400 – 700 blocks of Penn Avenue.
The event is rain or shine and showcases the work of local and regional artists, crafters, vendors, West Reading businesses, musicians and other talents.
The entire festival is pedestrian friendly, boasting upwards of 200 vendors, is free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Platinum selling alternative rock band SPONGE from Detroit headlines the 2025 festival. Music acts play on three stages starting at noon, with SPONGE taking the main stage at 5:30 p.m. at the intersections of Sixth and Penn avenues.
Other performances include sets by: Jon Smith’s Voyages, Bret Tobias, The Squonks, First Things First, Alright, Junior, Mojo Hotel, 25th Hour, Inspector 12’s Majestic Realm, So What!, Brian Levering, Jestin Adams, Adam Leon, Amanda!, Lone Cricket, Alex & EJ, Laila Mack, and Tom Rader & Friends, with a Flux Capacitor After-Party at 7 p.m. at West Reading Motor Club.
