Good morning, Reading.

City officials held a somber 9/11 ceremony in Reading that honored the 24th anniversary of the attacks and remembered key organizer Keith Eschleman—known as Sarge—who helped launch the event.

Firefighter Jason Batz, who took over after Sarge died earlier this year, oversaw tributes that included placing a wreath at the Memorial Tree, tolling a bell, and reciting a poem to honor 343 New York City firefighters.

Photographer John Walborn's decades of work is on display at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education in West Lawn.

The free exhibit runs until October 11.

Today, the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is competing for the Levitt Foundation Music Series Grant to support a free outdoor concert series starting 2026—residents may vote online or via text until Sept.

15 at 5 p.m., with finalists and a winner to be announced on Nov. 18.

More than 60,000 fans are expected to arrive at Maple Grove Raceway starting this Thursday as the NHRA Nationals celebrate 40 years—local favorite Doc & Bubba’s in Brecknock Township is adding staff and live music to handle the surge.

The event will run through Sunday—boosting sales and drawing a business boom in Berks County.

The Shapiro Administration announced it will create the 9/11 National Memorial Trail across Pennsylvania, with a route planned to pass through Berks County — including Reading, Womelsdorf, Shoemakersville, and Hamburg.

PennDOT and the DCNR will install 750 trail signs statewide ahead of the 25th anniversary in 2026 to mark the trail and honor those lost on September 11.

The Reading Zoning Hearing Board approved a special exception—allowing 21 new apartment units on the third floor at 229 Washington St as part of the GoggleWorks 2 expansion project during its Wednesday meeting.

This project by Our City Reading expands residential options in the area.

Bernice Robinson-Bennett, MD has been named as chair of the OB/GYN department at Reading Hospital after serving as interim chair since April 2024.

She will start her role this month—overseeing the department, its residency program, and serving as Tower Health’s Physician Lead for the Women and Children Service Line—to advance care for local women.

Penn State Berks LaunchBox announced the winners of its summer Lifestyle Pitch Competition and awarded a total of $2,000 in seed funding plus $1,000 in micro-grants.

Brooklyn Smith-Jones of BK Shanae Candle Co. in Lancaster won first place while Reading business owners Philip Tietbohl and Alison Woo Designs received $600 and $400 to support local projects.

On Wednesday, Conrad Weiser defeated Twin Valley 4-1 in the BCIAA Division 2 girls soccer match as Colon and Sadowski each scored two goals while Pearsall added two assists.

In a separate Division 4 game, Schuylkill Valley blanked Brandywine Heights 8-0 with Finkbiner and Schaeffer each scoring two goals.

Today at 7 p.m., Exeter hosts Gov. Mifflin in a storied high school football rivalry as Exeter, holding a 3-0 record and ranked No. 5, will play without its injured All-League quarterback while Gov. Mifflin, at 2-1 after a 45-13 loss in Week 2, looks to challenge them using its strong running game—other key Berks County matchups also kick off at 7 p.m.

Ruby Smaglinski scored the game-winning goal with 1:56 left to give the Schuylkill Valley Panthers a 4-3 win over Hamburg in a BCIAA Division 2 field hockey match on Wednesday.

Nurse Blake

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Santander Performing Arts Center — Tickets from $53 — Enjoy a night of laughter with Nurse Blake's hilarious performance.

Zach Williams Revival Nights Tour

6-7:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience hope-filled music from Grammy Winner Zach Williams on his Revival Nights Fall 2025 Tour.

Dusty Slay Comedy Show

7-8:30 p.m. — Santander Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of laughter with Nashville's stand-up comedian Dusty Slay.

Los Tigres Del Norte Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Santander Arena — Tickets start at $81 — Enjoy live performances from the legendary band Los Tigres Del Norte in Reading, PA.

Beethoven Symphony No. 9

7:30-9 p.m. — Santander Performing Arts Center — Tickets available — Experience Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, a powerful celebration of unity and the human spirit.

Treaty Oak Revival Concert

8-9:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Event rate parking available — Experience the energetic blend of Red Dirt country and punk rock with Treaty Oak Revival.

Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Santander Arena — Tickets required — Experience the epic journey of Avatar: The Last Airbender through a live orchestra performance of its beloved score.

Times Past, Time's Passed: An Exhibition of Paintings by Robert Seabourne

You are invited to the reception for an art show of paintings by Robert Seabourne that pay tribute to the beauty & history of the Oley Valley. The show runs from October 1-25, at The Crossroads Guitar & Art in Gilbertsville.

The Music Of Hans Zimmer and Others

8-9:30 p.m. — Santander Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the epic scores of Hans Zimmer and more in a captivating live performance.

Aaron Lewis Concert

3:30-9 p.m. — Santander Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening with the Grammy nominated former Staind frontman as he promotes his new solo album.