‘It’s an exciting night’: Countdown to midnight, Berks County preps for New Year’s Eve events | Berks Regional News

BERKS CO., Pa. – Traditions in Berks County and beyond continue as we countdown the minutes until a New Year.

“It’s just a fun, quick, easy thing that parents can do with their kids, a tradition for New Year’s Eve,” said Luann Zambanini, treasurer of the Boyertown Area Historical Society.

In Boyertown, the traditional ball drop is dropped from the plans, as organizers expect nearly 100 people to gather for the Boyertown Area Historical Society’s “bear drop.”

 

“It’s funny, because it kind of was geared to kids, and I think older people enjoy it, because that way they don’t have to stay up to watch the ball drop,” said Zambanini.

 

 Zambanini said the event has come a long way.

 

“We used to come down from that little tower there, for more fire exit, and now we get the fire company involved. And those brave men climb up the ladder,” Zambanini said. “All I have to do is give them the bear. They do it all. Thank heavens,” she laughed.

 

The bear drop will coincide with the arrival of 2025 in Germany.

 

Elsewhere in the county, the Reading Liederkranz is celebrating with a “pretzel drop,” a German buffet and pretzel bar.

 

The Peanut Bar in Reading will turn into a speakeasy for the night, with a vibe much like how it originally started back in the day.

 

In Reading, a fireworks celebration is planned.

 

City of Reading Managing Director Jack Gombach said the event brings the community, family and friends together.

 

“In a true spirit of the holiday, to reflect on the year past and to really get excited about the year ahead,” said Gombach.

 

For 28 years, weather permitting, the skies in Reading shine bright into a new year.

 

“This is an exciting time. It’s an exciting night,” said Gombach.

 

The fireworks in Reading go off at 10:00 p.m.