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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER
Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Parkland Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

‘Musikfest is the best of us’

Published August 08. 2023 01:19PM
by Nate Jastrzemski njastrzemski@tnonline.com

It’s not just another year for the nation’s largest free music festival.

Friday night marked the opening of Musikfest’s 40th year, and the celebration was rolling even before the official remarks by organizers and community leaders, which was brief compared with previous years, as everyone was eager to join the revelry.

But acknowledgments needed to be made. ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert welcomed visitors under the big tent at Festplatz, and thanked this year’s 300 vendors and 1,200 volunteers – 12 of whom are participating for the 40th time.

Many local politicians delivered congratulatory proclamations for Musikfest’s anniversary, including reps Steve Samuelson, Jeanie McNeill and Susan Wild, Sen. Bob Casey, and Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Reading one of those proclamations, Lehigh County Executive Philips Armstrong said, “The big thing about what we want to honor today is that music brings people together. And in this time in America we need 10 days where we are bring people together.

Mayor William Reynolds said the longtime event is a special thing in this community. “Musikfest is the best of us. We come together, we volunteer, we share time with each other, and talked about who we were, who we are and who we’re going to be. We have changed a lot as a city in the last 40 years, and Musikfest has changed as well, but we’re better than ever. Bethlehem is not run by the mayor or city hall, it’s run by the citizens who understand that we’re at our best when we’re together.

“The next 10 days is about that spirit of Bethlehem. It’s about the best of us. Now let’s get that party started.”

Pastor Hopeton Clennon led a prayer for the proceedings. “Forty is the length of time of the passing of a generation. This 40 speaks to us as a time of preparation for greater excellence in our beloved city of Bethlehem. May this be a blessing to those who call Bethlehem their home. May it be a blessing for vendors and volunteers. And may the hard work of those who have organized it, practiced for their performances, or came to shop, bear the fruit of their expectation.”
PRESS PHOTOS BY NATE JASTRZEMSKI Following ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert saying public events in Bethlehem were inspired similar events in Germany, sister city Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany Mayor Richard Arnold roused the audience with reciprocity. “It's great to be here. The Musikfest you are doing here – we are getting inspiration here from you. The development you are undertaking. The recovery, the restructuring. This is really very positive.”
ArtsQuest Trustee Chair Orville Trout gives the year's first Marcincin Award to Chaz Patrick of Molly's Irish Grille on Third Street. The award is named for Mayor Paul Marcincin to honor his lasting impact on the city and the festival. Trout lauded Molly's many years of support of ArtsQuest and the community.