BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds closed his remarks at the official opening ceremony of the 40th Musikfest at Wells Fargo Festplatz on Friday evening by barking this:
“Now, let’s get this party started!”
As was expected, the mayor was playing catch up.
- The official opening ceremony for Musikfest's 40th anniversary was held Friday evening
- Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds lauded the festival, saying, "We are at our best when we're together"
- The nation's largest open-gate music festival will run through Aug. 13
The thousands who had descended upon the music festival hours earlier were in partying form: Lifting large commemorative Musikfest mugs to their thirsty lips, munching on a variety of foods and treats nearly more than one can count.
Threatening weather did nothing to dampen either the enthusiasm or the volume of folks for the official Day One of Musikfest, the nation’s largest, ungated music festival that will be held through Sunday, Aug. 13 throughout Bethlehem.
"We’re at our best when we are together,” Reynolds told attendees who packed tables beneath a massive white tent. “The next 10 days are not just about Musikfest; they’re about the spirit of Bethlehem.”
"We’re at our best when we are together. The next 10 days are not just about Musikfest; they’re about the spirit of Bethlehem.”Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds
ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert was the host of the ceremony. Acknowledging the scope of help the city requires to hold such a large festival, she thanked civic leaders, EMS, law enforcement and members of the parks department.
'Transformed our region'
State Rep. Steve Samuelson presented a proclamation to the Musikfest committee.
“Musikfest spans two counties and has transformed our region,” Samuelson said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro also sent a proclamation lauding Musikfest on its 40th year. Remarks were made on behalf of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild by members of their staff.
Richard Arnold, mayor of Schwabisch-Gmund, Germany, called Musikfest a wonderful event for a wonderful community. His German city is a sister city of Bethlehem.
Select business partners — such as Service Electric TV — were presented awards for their commitment to Musikfest. Service Electric will air select music performances live and also on replay.
Hilgert especially thanked the host of Musikfest volunteers.
“There are 12 volunteers here again this year who have done all 40 Musikfests,” Hilgert said. “They run this festival. We can’t thank them enough.”
Musikfest after COVID-19
Gert Vanellis of Bethlehem said she was thankful for Musikfest. Weary of the massive crowds, Vanellis said she stopped attending the festival in 2018.
Then she learned a lesson. COVID-19 was her teacher.
“I was a shut-in for a year in 2020,” Vanellis, 49, said. “I was going crazy, with nothing to do outdoors.
“With all the problems in the world, isn’t it nice to have something like Musikfest for people to gather, have some food, and enjoy one another?”Phillips Armstrong, Lehigh County executive
“I vowed if I survived — I got COVID twice — I would never miss another festival, and I haven’t.”
Her partner, Bob Remus, also is not a fan of crowds.
“But let’s face it: COVID taught is something,” Remus said. “If you have a choice between being trapped in the house because of the pandemic or dealing with some crowds at a nice festival, gimme the latter.”
As one family strolled along an avenue of food stands deciding what to eat, the father was giving his wife and two children the options, reading from the signs:
Chicken cheesesteak, tacos, bratwurst, sausages, hot dogs, artisan pizza, chicken fingers, pierogies, Greek fare, poutine. And desserts: strudel, funnel cake, French toast bites, hand-twisted pretzels and German roasted nuts.
“Dad, can you repeat those?” his smart-aleck teenager snapped.
“Uh, you’ll have a hot dog,” the father replied.
Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong may have defined Musikfest to everyone’s satisfaction.
“With all the problems in the world, isn’t it nice to have something like Musikfest for people to gather, have some food, and enjoy one another?” Armstrong said.
“It’s something as simple as coming together and being friendly with one another.”
The best part? There are nine more days of it.
