Get a taste of the history and heart of Wernersville at the 8th Annual Taste of Wernersville event. Chris Kimmel, the event’s creator and organizer, and owner of Five and Divine, started the event to showcase all that the quiet town has to offer, including a variety of locally owned businesses and restaurants and a rich history.
“Being a small business owner in a small town, I would say that events like these are extremely important to promote all that we do. So many people are accustomed to going to the large box stores and fast food chains that they sometimes need a little reminder how special it can be to shop and eat local,” explains Kimmel.
This year the event kicks off with a Rededication Ceremony of the Wernersville Train Station by the Heidelberg Heritage Society. Originally built in 1881, and rebuilt as the only stone train station on the line in 1927, it was donated to the Society in 2001 by the Hoover Motor Company. Thanks to state grants and a lot of hard work, the station has been restored and will be rededicated as a museum. Society member Charlotte Moyer said, “We have pictures from what it looked like before we started and to see what has been done is just spectacular.”
The ceremony will include a ribbon cutting and brief words of thanks from Mayor Edward Evans and Society Chairman Rodney Daniels. Following the ceremony there will be a small reception at the Lerch Tavern and the Heritage Grove will be open for visitors to see the Society’s herb garden, as well as visit vendors and explore children’s activities.
The fun continues long after the ceremony ends when you are invited to embark on the Trolley Town Tour to tour the town, free of charge, stopping at all the local shops. Many of the stores and restaurants will be hosting open houses and offering demonstrations as well as samplings of their products.
Finally, in the afternoon you are invited to Trinity Lutheran Church for the annual Strawberry Festival to enjoy fresh, locally grown strawberries and ice cream as well as other food items, games and shopping.
- Rededication ceremony: 10-11am
- Heidelberg Heritage Society reception: Noon-2pm
- Trolley Town Tour: 11am-6pm
- Strawberry Festival: 3-8pm
For more info visit: heidelberg-heritage.org or fiveanddivine.com
