Officials: Winterfest was a huge success
AMITY >> Supervisor Kevin Keifrider, who is also chairman of the Amity Township 300th Committee, said the township’s Winterfest celebration on New Year’s Day was very successful.
At least 2,000 people — and possibly as many as 3,000 — took part in the festivities, designed to kick off the township’s 300th birthday celebration.
“There were a lot smiling kids’ faces,” said Keifrider, adding that the event was the right choice to kick-off the township’s year of commemorative events.
“It brought the community together, and that was our purpose,” he said.
Winterfest had been rescheduled from New
Year’s Eve due to inclement weather.
It was the first of four events to celebrate the founding of Amity Township in 1719.
Winterfest, held at Amity Community Park, Weavertown Road, featured The Stephanie Grace Band, an Inflatables Park for kids, Elsa and Olaf from “Frozen,” a bonfire with a S’mores station, fireworks, and a wide variety of food from local organizations, businesses, Girl Scout troops, and the township.
The other commemorative events in 2019 include a Jamboree on May 18, Summer Fest on Aug. 3, and a Fall Fest on Oct. 11-12.
Amity Township is the oldest incorporated township in Berks County.
It was settled in 1701 by a group of Swedes from Delaware, on land granted to them by William Penn.
According to the township’s website, the Swedes, led by Rev. Andrew Rudman, selected 10,500 acres of land along the Schuylkill River.
That area became known as Morlatton, due to the fertile ground suitable for farming.
Morlatton Village contains Berks County’s oldest structure, the Mouns Jones House.
The Swedes also designated the area as “Amity,” due to their continued amicable relations with the area’s Native Americans.
The 10,500 acres were incorporated as Amity Township in 1719 by application to the Philadelphia court, and became a municipality of Philadelphia County.
Berks County formed in 1752 from portions of Chester, Lancaster and Philadelphia counties.