Freedom Fest to Showcase Boyertown's Community Spirit During America's 250th Birthday Celebration

by Lesley Misko

Liberty Bells are beginning to appear throughout Boyertown.

Outside local businesses, volunteers are putting the finishing touches on colorful, hand-crafted bell displays that will soon become part of the Bells of Boyertown Art Trail, one of the signature attractions of Freedom Fest, the community's week-long celebration of America's 250th birthday.

"It's exciting to see the businesses put up their bells," said Rachael Kehler, who has helped lead the organizational effort through the Boyertown Area Historical Society, first as president and now as a board member. "I saw the painter outside of Wiedner's Deli today. Zimmer's also has an impressive bell."  

Those bells are more than public art. They represent the community spirit behind Freedom Fest, a nine-day celebration from July 3 through July 11 that will bring together museums, businesses, nonprofit organizations, musicians, historical reenactors and volunteers to commemorate the nation's semiquincentennial while celebrating Boyertown's own history.

What began as a single idea discussed during a Historical Society meeting has grown into one of the community's most ambitious collaborative efforts in recent memory. The idea took root when Historical Society President Nathan Babb suggested that the organization take the lead in coordinating Boyertown's celebration.

"He felt strongly that the Historical Society was the right organization to grab the reins on the 250th anniversary celebrations," Kehler said. "We started a committee and invited the other museums in town to participate and help plan everything. It just kind of grew from there."

At first, the committee wasn't sure exactly what the celebration would become.

"I was thinking, 'Oh my gosh, what are we going to do for this?'" Kehler recalled.

Serving on the Berks County 250th Anniversary Committee gave her inspiration. While researching celebrations across Pennsylvania, she discovered the statewide Bells Across PA public art project.

"I thought it would be fun to build on what Pennsylvania is doing and create our own bell art trail in Boyertown," she said.

The result is the Bells of Boyertown Art Trail, one of Freedom Fest's signature attractions.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations were invited to design Liberty Bell-themed displays at least three feet tall for storefronts and sidewalks throughout the community. The organizers hoped perhaps 20 groups would participate.

Instead, they received commitments from 36 businesses and organizations.  

"When we started this, we had a goal of 20," Kehler said. "I think we did pretty well."

She said the overwhelming response says something special about the community.

"Everyone's participation and enthusiasm, their willingness to work together, reflects what a great town we have."

That same spirit extends throughout Freedom Fest.

The celebration begins July 3 with the grand opening of the Boyertown Area Historical Society Museum following five years of renovations and fundraising.

"It's been a lot of work," Kehler said.

Visitors will be among the first to experience the museum's new exhibit exploring Boyertown in 1776, featuring displays on the Colebrookdale Ironworks, Revolutionary War soldier Henry Gable, colonial coins, a recreated schoolhouse, the Lenni Lenape people and the craft of wheelwrighting.

Families will also be encouraged to discover Boyertown's history through a Freedom Fest activity book, available at local museums. Participants who complete historical activities throughout the week will earn an official Freedom Fest commemorative pin after pledging to become good historians for the community.

Other activities throughout the week include the Director's Big Band Dance, silhouette portrait demonstrations using an 18th-century art form, free admission to Boyertown's museums, and a free showing of The Patriot at the State Theatre.

Music will also be part of the celebration.

"We're trying to launch First Fridays in partnership with Crossroads," Kehler said. "There will be live music on Friday at the car museum, in the breezeway by the Peppermint Stick, and at the Other Farm."

The celebration culminates Saturday, July 11, with Freedom Fest at Boyertown Park.

The park will come alive with historical reenactors, colonial craftspeople, demonstrations by a blacksmith, timber framer and wheelwright, food vendors, tractors, community organizations and family activities. Visitors can sign a giant replica of the Declaration of Independence, watch George Washington and Betsy Ross look-alikes, participate in The Mystery of Hamilton's Quill historical mystery adventure, enjoy a Revolutionary-themed Story Walk presented by the Boyertown Community Library, and hear a trained historical interpreter read the Declaration of Independence.

For Kehler, however, the greatest achievement isn't any one attraction.

"We're lucky to have such an involved team at the Boyertown Historical Society," she said. "They're what helps make this possible."

She is equally appreciative of the many organizations, businesses and volunteers that embraced the idea from the beginning.

"We really do have a lot going on," Kehler said. "We're fortunate because so many organizations work together. Everybody's contributing their own part."

As Boyertown prepares to celebrate America's 250th birthday, Freedom Fest promises to do more than commemorate history. It will showcase the community spirit that continues to shape the town today.  

FREEDOM FEST AT A GLANCE

Friday, July 3
• Grand opening of the renovated Boyertown Area Historical Society Museum
• Opening of the Bells of Boyertown Art Trail
• Reading of the Declaration of Independence (6 p.m.)
• First Friday live music at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, the Peppermint Stick breezeway and The Other Farm

Saturday, July 4
• Boyertown Area Historical Society Museum open
• Spaatz Museum open

Sunday, July 5
• Director's Big Band Dance
• Keystone Fire Hall
• 2 to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, July 8
• Silhouette Drawing at the Historical Society

Thursday, July 9
• Free Museum Day
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Free admission to the Historical Society, Spaatz Museum, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles and Bear's Mill Museum

Friday, July 10
• Free showing of The Patriot at the State Theatre

Saturday, July 11
• Freedom Fest Grand Finale at Boyertown Park
• Living history demonstrations
• Fife and Drum march
• Bells of Boyertown Art Trail
• George Washington and Betsy Ross look-alike contest
• Sign a replica of the Declaration of Independence
• The Mystery of Hamilton's Quill
• Story Walk
• Food vendors, exhibitors and family activities

Learn More

For complete schedules, event times and updates, visit the Boyertown Area Historical Society Facebook page, where each event has its own listing with additional details.

More News from Boyertown

• "Thank You!" Cards on Exhibit at Studio B "Thank you" cards providing an opportunity to thank people who have served or assisted us in some way are part of Studio B's "In Service" exhibit.
• "Bells of Boyertown" Art Trail Begins July 3, 2026, at Over 30 Locations The Boyertown Area Historical Society's "Bells of Boyertown" art trail features over 30 locations and begins July 3, 2026, with their second block party of the season.