BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Four friends chatted at an umbrella table outside the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on Musikfest preview night on Thursday.
The topic? Religion, sort of.
“This heat is ungodly!” said one woman, repeatedly pinching the front of her T-shirt away from her chest as the sun and 90-degree temperatures beared down upon her. “It’s not this hot back in Louisiana!”
Suddenly, Chipper Margold popped out of his chair.
“This,” he shouted, lifting a large Musikfest plastic mug aloft, “is why God created beer!” And began chugging the suds.
Hot food. Hot temps. Hot tunes. And, of course, cold brews. All of that combined to underscore an enjoyable start to the 41st Musikfest.
The 11-day, citywide festival officially kicks off on Friday, with opening ceremonies at FestPlatz. Among the events:
- 10 a.m.: Musikfest Music Industry and Education Conference.
- 10:30 a.m.: The Rise and Fall of Bethlehem Steel Tour.
- 5:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies at Festplatz.
- 7 p.m.: Sugar Ray, Better Than Ezra, and Tonic at Wind Creek Steel Stage.
- 8:30 p.m.: Steal the Sky at Festplatz.
- 10:45 p.m.: The Sequel Show.
Celebrating its 41st year, Musikfest will offer more than 400 free musical acts.
“It’s not just a festival to me; it’s a celebration of what Bethlehem has become — a wonderful place to live.”Patti Johnson, Bethlehem
The 11 ticketed headliners on the main Steel Stage, including Greta Van Fleet, which performed on Thursday, are Sugar Ray, Better Than Ezra and Tonic (Aug. 2); Shinedown (Aug. 3); Jowell & Randy (Aug. 4); SLASH — S.E.R.P. E. N. T Festival (Aug. 5); Old Dominion (Aug. 6); Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 7); Black Eyed Peas (Aug. 8); Big Time Rush (Aug. 9); Ludacris (Aug. 10); and ZZ Top (Aug. 11).
Tunes over temperatures
While the temperatures were hot on Thursday, they failed to keep music and festival lovers away.
Brian and Sharon Phillips of Bethlehem each sipped a beer while enjoying the high-energy music of South Carolina-born guitarist/vocalist Hannah Wicklund on the Levitt Pavilion stage.
“We’re ArtsQuest members, so we love coming here,” said Sharon of the nonprofit that organizes the festival. “It’s free music.
“We’ve been coming off and on to Musikfest. We were there the first year when it was at the Sun Inn with only a couple of tables. And also right near Moravian. We’d lay out a blanket and listen to music. It was great.”
Foot traffic was brisk on preview night at SteelStacks. The aroma from a wide variety of foods filled the air. From Canadian poutine, to American burgers, to Mexican fare, Musikfest covered all the bases.
Even cajun-infused alligator.
“We’d been trying to get a stand here for a long time,” said Jerome Vielman, general manager of family owned, Louisiana-based Bourbon Street Eats!
“Three years ago, we were finally ready as a business to come here. We absolutely love it. All the music and friendly people.
Business inside the first floor of the ArtsQuest Center was also busy, with folks enjoying adult refreshments and also purchasing tickets for main event performances.
If Thursday was any indication, this year’s Musikfest may break the record mark of 1.33 million set last year.
“We wait for Musikfest all year,” said Patti Johnson of Bethlehem. “It’s not just a festival to me; it’s a celebration of what Bethlehem has become — a wonderful place to live.”
