A record number of performances and performers, several new programming elements and mostly cooperative weather conditions combined for a record turnout for the 34th annual Musikfest, Aug. 4-13.

Attendance at the 2017 festival, presented by the nonprofit ArtsQuest, was 1,196,000, up 25 percent from 957,000 in 2016, according to ArtsQuest officials. The 2017 attendance tops the previous all-time attendance record of 1,152,000 set in 2008 and equaled in 2009.

Established in 1984 to draw people to Bethlehem’s downtown historic district, Musikfest has grown to become what is said to be the largest free, non-gated music festival in the United States, having an economic impact of more than $60 million annually on the city and the region.

“Over the years, Musikfest has become a tradition for so many people from all over,” said Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez. “Thousands of residents from the Lehigh Valley make it an annual part of their summer plans, while people from across the country visit our city and patronize our hotels and restaurants while they’re in town.

“While many of these guests visit the businesses, shops and restaurants while they’re at the festival, countless others return in the weeks and months following the event. Without a doubt, the exposure the city and the region receive as a result of Musikfest is huge. Any time you can draw more than one million people to your region it’s a win-win for everyone,” Donchez said.

The 2017 festival featured a record 419 performers from 29 states and eight countries serving up more than 550 performances, with artists coming from as far away as England, The Netherlands and South Korea.

New attractions

Leading the new attractions at Musikfest 2017 was Architects of Air, a large inflatable art installation at Experienceplatz presented by Think Energy. Other highlights at the new Experienceplatz venue included Musikfest’s popular Wireless Disco, daily busker performances and interactive activities from festival partners, including Rothrock Motors, PNC Bank and Think Energy.

D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. and C.F. Martin & Company partnered for the new Martin Guitar Jam Stage at Yuengling Lagerplatz, home to 40-plus acoustic sets by festival artists and open mike sessions for the public. The festival’s newest stage was very well-received, drawing strong crowds throughout the festival, according to Musikfest officials.

“Over the past few years, we’ve really focused our efforts on increasing the caliber of our performers and enhancing the festival experience for our guests,” said ArtsQuest President & CEO Kassie Hilgert.

“This year we made the commitment to presenting even bigger names on our free stages, with shows by Colin Hay, Gene Ween, Low Cut Connie and The Smithereens. The crowds definitely responded, as highlighted by the overflow audience at IBEW Local 375 Volksplatz for Colin Hay’s show this past Saturday night [Aug. 12],” Hilgert said.

“As a community-focused arts and cultural nonprofit, helping to support tourism and economic development in the city are very important to us, so it was wonderful to see so many people frequenting the shops and restaurants on Main Street and the SouthSide during the festival,” said Hilgert.

Sands Stage shows

At the Sands Steel Stage, there were sold-out shows by Santana, Chicago and Toby Keith. Other artists performing on the main stage during Musikfest’s 10-day run were Father John Misty, Live, Aloe Blacc, Godsmack, The Band Perry, Lee Brice & Justin Moore, and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Attendance for the 10 shows was 45,984. People from 40 states and four countries attended shows at the Steel Stage, with fest-goers travelling from as far away as Alaska, Denmark and Germany.

“For the past 12 years, Sands Bethlehem has shared in the excitement and celebration that Musikfest brings to the City of Bethlehem,” said Sands Bethlehem President Brian Carr. “We certainly see the economic benefit through an uptick in foot traffic and in our restaurants during the festival, but our partnership also brings dedicated volunteer opportunities to our Sands team members. We appreciate the efforts of the ArtsQuest team to continuously bring a bigger and better experience year after year.”

Other highlights of Musikfest included the addition of the LVwithLove ComedyPlatz venue at the Charles A. Brown Ice House on Sand Island; the return of Close Act Theatre performances (Birdmen and Per-Q) in the Historic District, and 10 new food vendors including Try Vegan, the festival’s first all-vegan vendor and Humpty’s Dumplings, voted best food vendor at Bonnaroo in 2016 by Rolling Stone magazine.

Tourism impact

Spark Orthodontics Familienplatz, Musikfest’s family venue, was relocated to Martin Guitar Handwerkplatz in the Colonial Industrial Quarter.

“Once again ArtsQuest and its committed volunteers demonstrated their ability to organize and execute one of the nation’s premier summer tourist attractions right here in downtown Bethlehem,” said Historic Hotel Bethlehem Managing Partner Bruce Haines.

“The outstanding Musikfest programming combined with the hotel’s seasoned service staff and terrific weather have made great things happen in Bethlehem. Many of our hotel guests are regular returnees and the second year of the Hotel Bethlehem Platz at Musikfest greatly enhanced the Main Street experience for them and others,” Haines said.

Musikfest is made possible through the support of the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority, Bethlehem Area School District, Northampton County, 175 corporate partners, more than 1,600 volunteers, and 3,000 supporting members.

In 2017, festival volunteers donated approximately 34,000 hours of their time, assisting with everything from event setup and take-down to ushering at the Sands Steel Stage and selling food and beverage tickets during the event.

“Musikfest started as a small community festival more than three decades ago and has continued to grow thanks to the assistance of the entire community,” said Hilgert. “Our volunteers, sponsors, ArtsQuest Members, the City of Bethlehem and so many others come together each year to make this unique event possible for so many people to enjoy.

“It’s especially impressive when you consider the event is free to attend, but 99 percent of the performers are paid. Quite honestly, we could not present this festival year-in and year-out without everyone’s support,” Hilgert said.

Proceeds from Musikfest 2017 support ArtsQuest’s free programming year-round at the Banana Factory arts center and the SteelStacks arts and cultural campus.

Musikfest 2018 dates are Aug. 3-12.

Information: musikfest.org