Der Belsnickel Craft Show

Der Belsnickel Craft Show was started in 1970 as a way of preserving and promoting historic crafts. Over the years, the show has grown dramatically and has been recognized nationally for its emphasis on high quality traditional and modern crafts. Der Belsnickel is a juried show that supports the educational, preservation, cultural, research, historical, and genealogical activities of the Boyertown Area Historical Society. The show was named for the Pennsylvania German folk character who traveled to farms and visited the children at Christmas time. Good children were rewarded with candy and oranges.  Naughty children received a sharp crack on the hand from the Belsnickel’s switch. Every effort is made to structure the Belsnickel as a balance between traditional and modern crafts.