Lyons Borough Park was built in 1976, using Federal Bicentennial funds. A lot of people didn’t know the park--or the town for that matter, existed. In the early 1980s, borough resident Arlan Schwoyer would set plans into effect that would change the character of the small rural Berks County community forever!

His plan, his passionate mission, was to let people know the park was there, provide some entertainment, and compliment the annual borough fall car show. On Sunday, June 5 ^th , 1983, with a budget of $300 and a borrowed hay wagon, the first fiddle festival was born. People came, out of curiosity, or to hear a favorite group, or to support a family member. For whatever reason, 1200 people enjoyed the music, the fellowship and of course, the Pennsylvania Dutch home cooking! Schwoyer’s festival seemed to be on its way to becoming a nationally known event! Arlan was quoted as saying, "We want people to say that Kutztown is 3 miles north of Lyons. That’s where they’ve got the park and the fiddle festival."

The Lyons Fiddle Festival has inspired older folks to pick up their fiddles and begin playing again. It has encouraged teens and even toddlers to take the stage and perform. Fiddlers from age 3 to 94 have entertained on its stage. It seems that every shade tree in the park hosts an impromptu jam session in its shade, open to anyone with an instrument and a bit of musical skill. It has provided its many spectators with enjoyment in varied forms beyond music, including food, fun, fellowship and a relaxing old-time celebration in the country. Homegrown music wafts to every part of the park. This is a celebration of American Folklore at its finest!

Schwoyer states that most important thing that has been accomplished is the many, many friends that have been made and reunited in the community, and throughout the eastern Pennsylvania area. The revenues generated from the festival have enabled the reconstruction of the Veteran’s Memorial Monument, dredged the stream that courses through the park, built a stone bridge across it, enabled the addition of permanent restroom facilities, built a memorial to the town’s tornado victims, enlarged the park pavilion, and paid for the general maintenance of the park. The Lyons Park and Recreational Department also conducts an annual Easter egg hunt, a fishing rodeo, Halloween parade, and Santa’s annual visit.

In the summer of 2006, Arlan and Donna Schwoyer informed the borough that they could no longer produce the annual festival. Many were concerned that this would be the end of this popular and long running event. Arlan and Donna were hard to replace, and indeed, there was no festival in 2006. Although many "jammers" showed up anyway, and undaunted, had an enjoyable day, they could only hope that the festival would return.

The festival could very well have ended with the Schwoyer’s decision. Had it not been for the enthusiasm and determination of Suzie Reed, a borough councilperson who believed in the value of the festival, the annual event would now be just a memory. Suzie was able to recruit many of the original volunteers, and with an influx of new volunteers, new ideas, and new vision, the 2007 fiddle festival was held, with record-breaking attendance.

The new dawn of the festival is bright and it will continue for the foreseeable future. The one-dollar donation has not increased throughout the 25-year history of the event. (If adjusted for inflation, admission today would be four times that!) In its 24 years it is estimated that over 110,000 spectators have set up their folding chairs and blankets in the park, and over 375 constants (and untold numbers of jammers) have entertained them. A number of the fiddlers have gone on to have successful careers within the music industry. It is commonly agreed that if you participate at the Lyons Fiddle Festival, you will have truly touched the soul of the nation’s greatest fiddlers!