British invasion drives 2022 Das Awkscht Fescht
By ED COURRIER
Special to The Press
The 59th Das Awkscht Fescht rolled into Macungie Memorial Park with a tribute to vintage vehicles from across the pond.
The outdoor event featured 1,987 antique and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles, live music, a flea market, food, beer garden, toy show, arts and crafts and fireworks Aug. 5-7.
“The Wendling Brothers, who lived right next door to the park here, had started the Fescht sort of out of their garage to show their customs to the people,” Macungie Memorial Park Manager Amy Hillegass said. “From there, it grew rather quickly.”
According to Hillegass, the Ontelaunee Antique Automobile Club has served as the core club in assisting with planning and registering vehicles for Das Awkscht Fescht since its second year.
While the nonprofit park runs the event, they are helped by other car clubs as well. Proceeds go toward maintaining the park. With only two full-time park employees, 99 percent of the event is run by volunteers.
“There is a British car club that is involved this year,” Hillegass explained. “So our feature for this year is British vehicles, which has never happened in all the years of having the Fescht.”
Macungie resident Jed Rapoport brought three British vehicles from his collection to the 2022 Fescht, a red 1951 Allard K2, a red 1957 Jaguar XK140 and a black 1947 HRG 1500 Aerodynamic race car.
He and his late father shared a passion for collecting, maintaining and driving these automobiles.
Many of the mostly American-made vehicles filling the park date back to the early 20th century. Most date from the 1950s through the “muscle cars” of the 1970s.
Lehigh Valley-based musicians performing at the park’s bandstand included The Macungie Band, Steve Brosky and the Sunday Singers Band, Acoustic Kitty Project, BC Blue, South Penn Dixie, The Buzz, Ginger and the Schnappes, Jack Murray and The Blue Tarp Wranglers and Craig Thatcher Band.
An expanded children’s area sported a petting zoo, bounce house, balloon animals, games and art activities.
“We want to bring the young families in,” Hillegass said.
Among the upcoming events hosted at Macungie Memorial Park is the Wheels of Time Rod and Custom Jamboree scheduled Aug. 26-28.
For more information, visit macungiepark.com.