Centennial 4th of July in the Reading Eagle

The July 4th, 1876 Reading Eagle ran a few interesting articles on its front page about Independence Day observations and celebrations. The first article was titled, “A Peep at Reading 100 Years Ago” which described the town at the time of our country’s founding. Reading was already nearly three decades old at the onset of the Revolutionary War. Berks County was only slightly younger being founded in 1752.… Read Full Article

Santa Lands a Helicopter in City Park – On this day in 1955

Happy Thanksgiving Berks Nostalgiacs! The holiday season is here, so here is a peek back to that time that Santa Claus flew a helicopter and landed it at City Park in Reading. It happened on this day, November 25th, 1955.

Santa lands helicopter city park
Nov. 25th 1955 Reading Eagle

Two little girls served as a reception committee for Santa Claus after he landed his helicopter in City Park this morning.Read Full Article

Reading’s Christmas Balloon Parade – On this day in 1953

On this day, November 21st, 1953, over 50,000 gathered to watch the first ever Christmas balloon parade make its way down Penn Street in Reading. Public transportation was swamped, and it was reported that adults and children walked from as far as Wyomissing to see the spectacle.

Reading's Christmas Balloon Parade
Reading's Christmas Balloon Parade

The upper photo shows what City Park looked like prior to the Christmas balloon parade this morning.Read Full Article

May Day Tradition

May Day 1954 at Yocum’s School along route 724. Photo Courtesy of Jim Hain

May Day was a spring celebration tradition amongst public school kids and teenagers during the mid-20th century in Berks. The day would be marked by outside activities, singing, dancing and the crowning of a May Day Queen and court, similar to homecoming today.

May Day 1954 at Yocum’s School along route 724.
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Berks Nostalgia