MACUNGIE, Pa. — It was hot and muggy, and storms were on the horizon, but that didn't stop the region's car enthusiasts from coming out to celebrate this year's Das Awkscht Fescht.
Billed as one of the country's largest antique and classic car shows, the festival is in its 61st season and continues 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug, 3, and 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4.
Across the 42-acre festival grounds Friday, attendees wandered to see hundreds of classic, antique and specialty cars dating from the early 1900s to today.
"We are very fortunate. This place, Macungie Memorial Park, we're a nonprofit organization, it's all volunteers that are doing this for us."Macungie Memorial Park Manager Amy Hillegass
Macungie Memorial Park Manager Amy Hillegass said about 1,400 vehicles were registered as of Friday afternoon, and thousands are expected to come throughout the weekend.
Many cars featured had their owners available to discuss their stories and work done on them, while others featured information on the history of the model or that particular vehicle.
The festival serves as a major fundraiser for the nonprofit Macungie Memorial Park and is run by the park and the Ontelaunee region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.
"We can have as many as 10 [thousand] to 12,000 people coming in over the three days," Hillegass said.
"We are very fortunate. This place, Macungie Memorial Park, we're a nonprofit organization, it's all volunteers that are doing this for us."
Alongside the cars are arts, crafts and antiques for sale, a large flea market and car-part sale, toy show and kids entertainment.
Many of those not perusing the cars on display were at the bandshell enjoying the slate of live music scheduled for the weekend.
Admission is $10 for adults and free for ages 15 and younger.
Bringing enthusiasts together
A big draw of the festival is not just the ability to show off your own cars, but to share in the appreciation of classic vehicles with others.
Tim Custer of Emmaus brought in his replica of a 1965 Shelby Daytona, which was built to compete as a racing car against Ferraris, after working on it for about two years.
"I think it's great that they have these shows here. And I think it's great that these people are out here raising money to help support this park and to help maintain it."Tim Custer of Emmaus
As a precursor to future Ford sports cars, it was displayed alongside modern and classic models of the Mustang — the featured car of the event.
Custer said he was grateful to have the event so nearby, as well as the other auto events hosted by the park to share in a community of other car enthusiasts.
"I think it's great that they have these shows here," Custer said.
"And I think it's great that these people are out here raising money to help support this park and to help maintain it."
He said that while attendance was somewhat down Friday because of the weather, a crowd of the "right people" were there of those who could appreciate the cars displayed.
'The Mustang is the peoples' car'
Festival Chairman Bob Hobaugh said prior to the event that while the festival runs counter to Bethlehem's massive Musikfest festival, he expects a lot of crossover and a lot of excitement as organizers and participants share the love of their hobby.
"Cars bring people together of all different stripes. And it's just a very nice thing.Car collector David Lavertue
"We pull from four states and at least 25 counties," Hobaugh said about people who attend Das Awkscht Fescht.
"We want to bring in younger people into our hobby and to assure the continuance of a great show."
Car collector David Lavertue heard the call for Mustangs and came to the festival with his 2012 440-horsepower Mustang Boss 302 LS, which was designed with racing in mind.
Lavertue said he appreciated the decades of car history on display.
"The Mustang is the people's car, really," Lavertue said.
"It's probably the most popular car model that has been around continuously. Ford does not advertise the Mustang — the people that own the Mustangs advertise it."
He said he's enjoying the festival, and that it has been a great show so far, despite the heat.
"Cars bring people together of all different stripes," Lavertue said. "And it's just a very nice thing. There's a lot of very good active clubs in the area."
