The Reading Public Library has announced the lineup for its 12th annual Celebrity Bartender event in May.
Four local professionals will trade their day jobs for cocktail shakers in an effort to raise $15,000 for the library services and programs that reach thousands of residents each year.
This year’s celebrity bartenders include Izzy Gonzalez of Atlas Land and Homes, Sabrena Elmarzouky of Queens’ Cafe, Kaitlin Daley of the Berks County district attorney’s office, and Peter Rye of Brentwood Industries Inc., the library announced.
The group will serve drinks, interact with guests and help generate donations throughout the evening.
The event May 20 will run from 5 to 8 p.m. at Saucony Creek Franklin Station, 100 S. Seventh St. Admission is free, though attendees are encouraged to donate to support the cause.
Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the library’s program, including free access to music, arts and educational opportunities for children, teens and adults across the city.
“The support we receive through this event directly impacts the programs and opportunities we’re able to provide,” Carolyn Spano, library director of development and communications, said in a release. “We’re grateful to everyone who helps us keep those resources free and accessible.”
Organizers said the annual fundraiser has become both a social gathering and a meaningful way for the community to invest in literacy, learning and cultural enrichment in Reading.
As the library continues to navigate growing demand for services, organizers said events like Celebrity Bartender remain a key piece of ensuring those offerings remain free and accessible to the public.
Donations are being accepted online in advance of the event, the library said, giving supporters an opportunity to contribute even if they cannot attend in person.
The fundraiser is organized by the Reading Public Library Foundation, a nonprofit arm of the library system that supports its mission to expand access to information and educational resources.
To donate visit justgiving.com/campaign/celebritybartender2026.
For more information, contact Spano at [email protected] or 610-478-8977.
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