BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Three weekend festivals centered around "culinary and beverage adventures" will return to ArtsQuest's SteelStacks campus this spring, it was announced.
Sangriafest, Tacofest and Ginvitational will be back with "craft spirits and global flavors," ArtsQuest said in a news release.
Sangriafest, a popular event that includes food, vendors, lawn games, live music and, of course, the namesake wine-and-fruit beverage, will be 2-5 p.m. May 16, it was announced.
TacoFest, the annual event that pays homage to that Mexican dish that fills a fried tortilla with fresh, flavorful ingredients, is set for 1-6 p.m. May 31.
And The Ginvitational, a cocktail and food celebration featuring bourbon, vodka, gin and more, will return 1-4 p.m. June 14.
"From refreshing sangrias and bold margaritas to craft spirits and global flavors, this trio of culinary and beverage celebrations delivers three can’t-miss weekends of food, drinks, music and community in the heart of Bethlehem," ArtsQuest said in a release.
Tickets to the events are on sale at the ArtsQuest website or at the ArtsQuest Center box office at 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.
Sangriafest
Sangrifest, which returned to SteelStacks last year after being ArtsQuest's first festival outside of Bethlehem, offers unlimited samples of 12 different sangrias.
Returning favorites include red berry, white peach and pink lemonade flavors.
The event is for ages 21 and older.
Tickets are $52.50 for general admission through May 9, and $57.50 after, and $16.75 for designated drivers.
VIP tickets for $88.50 and $93.50 after May 9 include an hour early admission; all-day access to the VIP area, including a grazing bar of charcuterie and light bites; and unlimited samples of four VIP exclusive sangrias. VIP for designated drivers is $42.25.
Tacofest
Tacofest will again will be offered in partnership with Cazadores Tequila.
In addition to taco vendors across the Lehigh Valley and beyond, there will be live music, drinks, the SteelStacks Chihuahua Beauty Contest next to the Levitt Pavilion Stage and more.
Food vendors include Mack Truck Stop, Central Tap, the Pour Bar, with more to be announced, according to ArtsQuest.
General admission is $6 through April 6, $11 through May 6 and $16 after that. Early access, which includes a commemorative Tacofest gift, is $11 through April 6, $16 through May 6 and $21 after that.
And Margarita Madness, which includes early access, a commemorative gift and twelve 1-ounce samples in Musikfest Café from Lehigh Valley restaurants competing for the best margarita (alcohol-free versions available) and unlimited chips, guacamole salsa, queso and rice and beans bar, is $69.50 through April 5, $74.50 through May 5 and $79.50 after that.
The Ginvitational
Now in its fifth year, The Ginvitational is billed as "a refined cocktail and culinary experience featuring premium spirits, curated tastings and elevated bites from some of the region’s top restaurants."
Guests can sample spirits from a long list of local, national and international distillers.
The Aperol Spritz table and Negroni bar will be back again.
In the VIP Lounge, Edrington will showcase its premium portfolio, including No. 3 Gin, Brugal Rum, Highland Park and Wyoming Whiskey.
Culinary partners include local restaurants, including Colonial Pizza, Sette Luna, Stoke Pizza, Okatshe and La Maya.
Entertainment will be by NiteLiters disc jockeys, spinning classic vinyl.
There will be educational seminars throughout the day to help attendees take their cocktail knowledge and skills to the next level for their own house party hosting.
Ginvitational seminar educators will be Hillary Carrigan, Tyler Chambers, Lucas Heckenberger, Neil Heimsoth, Melissa Lozada, Maximilian Ur and Aindrea Williams.
Seminars will include:
“Building Bitters”: Guests will learn all about bitters and will assemble aromatics and botanicals to build their own. Each guest will leave with their own bitters and learn how to make quick bitters with immersion blenders or using the slower, infusion method.
“Wasting Away in Margaritaville”: Guests will participate in a discussion about tequila and learn margarita techniques.
“Japanese Cocktail Culture”: With Special Guest Speaker Jeff Karlovitch (Master Blender Kaiyo Whiskey and Kelt Cognac) guests will explore choices in wood and how it impacts spirits as well as a classic Japanese cocktail.
“Scotchy, scotch, scotch”: Guests will learn the difference from other whiskeys, styles and classic cocktails.
“From Grape to Grappa”: An event that features turning fruit into spirits.
Distillers and distributors will include Bluebird Distilling, Campari, Christmas City Spirits, County Seat Spirits, Dad's Hat Rye, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and Doan Distillery.
Also, Edrington (No.3 Gin, Brugal Rum, Highland Park, Wyoming Whiskey), Gunpowder Irish Gin, Kaiyo Distillery, Kilimanjaro Distillery, Laird & Company and Social Still Distillery.
More are to be announced, ArtsQuest said.
The Ginvintational is for ages 21 and older, including designated drivers.
The Ginvitational tickets are $50.50 through June 6 and $57.50 afterward. VIP tickets, with early entry, a VIP Seminar, access to the VIP lounge, a VIP Gift and VIP-exclusive spirits, are $86.50 through June 6 and $96.50 afterward.
And platinum tickets, which includes all the benefits of a VIP ticket plus an exclusive seminar, commemorative wooden cocktail cutting board and access to the Platinum Lounge, are $131.50 through June 6 and $141.50 after.
