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British invasion drives 2022 Fescht

Published August 30. 2022 01:41PM
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 annual 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 www.macungiepark.com.

PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIER Macungie Memorial Park Manager Amy Hillegass stands at the area featuring cars and motorcycles manufactured in England. See story and additional photos on page A8.
Macungie resident Jed Rapoport is with his British made 1951 Allard K2, one of three British cars from his collection in the 2022 Fescht. The Allard was purchased new by Max Hess who gifted it to one of his department store employees. It is one of only 119 made.
At left, balloon artist Betsy Middleton creates a pink balloon wiener dog for Mabel Lewand. Mabel and her parents Erica and Zach live in Macungie.
Troy Krause, of Red Hill, was 7 years old when his dad, David, purchased this 1970 Pontiac GTO. The car was gifted to him when he was old enough to drive during the 1980s. The family car will stay in the family when it gets passed down someday to Krause's son Corey.
Bob Boyd offers a taste of “Blue Agave Wine” at the Cardinal Hollow Winery trailer in the event's beer garden. Boyd served Fescht goers margarita slushies made with this tequila-like beverage with 17.5 percent alcohol.
Acoustic Kitty Project takes to the stage Aug. 5 with a number from their “Saturday Night” album. From left, are Bill Matlack on drums, Mike Carr on lead guitar, lead singer Carter Lansing and bassist Marty Chamberlain.
Kurt Froebel helps his friend Lois Dries man the Iron Mountain Toys tent in the arts and crafts area. Dries, her son, David and daughter, Melanie Caskie, create and assemble the handmade wooden and fabric toys at their Macungie-based enterprise.
Vendor Therese Podoyak brings a van load of antique and vintage toys from New Tripoli to participate in the 2022 Fescht's outdoor toy show.
Kyle Moll and his son Skyler, of Longswamp Township, participate in the art activities offered at the children's area. While dad colored in a dinosaur picture, Skyler drew freestyle on his hand and arm.
From left, Jen Filingeri, of Mahwah, N.J., purchases a toy car from George Recchilongo and Paul Heckendorf inside the George's Antique Classic Auto Parts tent. PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIER