Flocktoberfest — Phoenixville’s Bird-Friendly Flock Party
Saturday, October 11, 2025 • 12:00–4:00 PM (Rain or shine)
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church — 121 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA
Free, family-friendly community event • First-come, first-served free parking at Phoenixville Area Senior Center (153 Church St.)
Phoenixville is a Bird Town PA community—and we’re celebrating World Migratory Bird Day with a joyful, all-ages festival of birds, nature, and neighbors.
Hosted at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Phoenixville and organized by Sprout Reach, the community-focused environmental justice group at St. Peter’s
At a Glance
- What: Flocktoberfest community celebration (free!)
- When: Sat, Oct 11, 2025 • 12:00–4:00 PM (Indoor event — rain or shine)
- Where: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 121 Church St., Phoenixville
- Parking: Free at Phoenixville Area Senior Center (153 Church St.) while space remains
- Who’s it for: Families, kids, curious naturalists, and “bird nerds” of all ages
Event Highlights
- Bird-Friendly Garden Launch (12:00 PM)
- We’re celebrating the launch of our cloister garden bird observatory & education sanctuary — a “communal backyard birding” space right at St. Peter’s. Ribbon cutting by Mayor Peter Urscheler to kick things off.
- Phoenixville Community Nature Journal (All Afternoon)
- Browse the Phoenixville Community Nature Journal art exhibit and catch friendly demos by award-winning local artist Jolie Chylack (Jolie Chylack Studio, Spring City) — partake in an enjoyable introduction to the art and science of nature journaling.
- Bird Nerds Unite! (Tabling & Activities)
- Valley Forge Audubon Society (VFAS) brings games, info, and hands-on activities to connect people and communities with birds and the places we share.
- ♻️ Plastic-Free Demos & Family Activities
- The ReReRe Plastics Committee (Phoenixville Area Transition & Phoenixville Green Team) offers practical tips and live demos for reducing single-use plastics, plus interactive activities for all ages.
- Live Music (12:30–1:30 PM)
- Kickoff of the “Singing Songbird Music Series” with our own singing housebirds, Canadian Tuxedo — feel-good, family-based singer-songwriter local duo to set the vibe for the afternoon.
- Bird-Themed Qigong (1:35 PM –1:55 PM)
- Join a bird-themed qigong demo with Amy Atlee.
- Live Birds of Prey (2:00–4:00 PM)
- Experience awe with the ambassador raptors of Indian Run Environmental Education Center — educator-led pop-up talk, Q&A, and live avian viewing for all ages.
- Diocesan Flock, Local Momentum
- Meet trusted Sprout Reach partners from St. Martin’s Episcopal Church (Radnor) and St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley (Malvern) — discover eco-friendly events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved across our wider community.
- ✂️ Crafts & Make-Stations
- Kid-friendly (and kids-at-heart-friendly!) nature crafts and activities running throughout the afternoon.
Timeline
- 12:00 PM — Ribbon Cutting
Mayor Pete celebrates Phoenixville’s Bird Town PA leadership and the launch of our communal backyard birding habitat at St. Peter’s. - 12:30–1:30 PM — Live Music
We kick off the “Singing Songbird” music series with local favorites Canadian Tuxedo. - 2:00–4:00 PM — Birds of Prey, Up Close
Meet live ambassador raptors and enjoy an engaging presentation with the Indian Run Environmental Education Center. - All Afternoon — Stewardship in Action
Tabling, demos, journaling, crafts, and conversations about bird-friendly spaces, community connection, and everyday sustainability.
Partners & Friends
Valley Forge Audubon Society (VFAS) • ReReRe Plastics Committee (Phoenixville Area Transition & Phoenixville Green Team) • Indian Run Environmental Education Center • Canadian Tuxedo • St. Martin’s Episcopal Church (Radnor) • St. Peter’s Church in the Great Valley (Malvern) • Peter Urscheler • The Borough of Phoenixville • Phoenixville Area Senior Center • Green Valleys Watershed Association at Welkinweir
With gratitude to the Borough for amplifying Phoenixville’s Bird Town legacy and to all of our partners for bringing learning-by-doing to life.
Special thanks go out to the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and the Steering Committee of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Pennsylvania whose funding made this celebratory flock party possible.
Location & Parking
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
121 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA
Free parking at Phoenixville Area Senior Center (153 Church St.), our next-door neighbors — thank you to the Senior Center for partnering on event parking.
Why Flocktoberfest?
The Borough of Phoenixville officially became a “Bird Town” in September 2024, joining 68 other municipalities across Pennsylvania in earning this distinctive designation. Bird Town communities are recognized for their commitment to conservation and avian stewardship, helping to create healthier habitats for both people and wildlife.
“Birds are natural indicators of ecological health,” notes Heidi Shiver, manager of Bird Town Pennsylvania. “Small steps in a backyard can increase the diversity of birds and at the same time create a healthier living environment for people and pets.”
Birds stitch our neighborhoods together. This inaugural festival lifts up bird-friendly communities, environmental justice, and community connection — right where we gather, sing, and care for one another.
Come for the birds, stay for the neighbors.
