Published January 07. 2025 01:08PM
Nothing says Happy New Year like a 400-pound bright yellow peep descending from the sky to the joyous screams of hundreds of eager onlookers. Such was the scene at SteelStacks Dec. 30 and 31.
Contrary to what you might expect, PEEPSFEST is not just for children. Young and mature all gathered to share the excitement. People came dressed in PEEP swag: sneakers; socks; T-shirts; PEEP bows; hair clips; hats – lots of PEEP themed hats and more.
This family-based, fun-filled event is in its 16th year of offering new and returning family-friendly activities to guests at SteelStacks. This includes the iconic PEEPS® Chick Drop and a “Sneak-PEEP” tasting of an Easter 2025 PEEPS® Marshmallow offering. Music, a DJ, a magician, the PEEPS mobile, food and beverage vendors and various community-based groups led PEEPSFEST® cornhole, Tootsee the Clown, Jenga, and crafts. All adding to the wonder of peeps. ArtsQuest, Channel PBS39, and the Reilly Children’s Hospital contributed face painting, cooking with PEEPS and ice skating.
As one mother in the crowd explained to her children, “This is the only place in the country, probably the world, that you will ever celebrate the New Year by watching a giant PEEP fall from the sky to bid farewell to one year and welcome the next!” Very true.
Jerry Perkins from the National Museum of Industrial History shows Dallas Glessner, Amber Glessner and Emmie Economopoulos how to propel a chick for distance. The Glessner family is from Charleston, S.C., and it is their first time at PEEPSFEST.
2024 Allentown Fair Queen Zoie Jones with “Moodone,” Allentown Fair’s mascot. Both were happy to support neighboring fellow farmyard friends at Bethlehem’s PEEPFEST.
PEEP fans Barbara Leonard and Robert Jarosz from Bayonne, N.J., have celebrated three PEEPFESTS in Bethlehem.
The Giant 400-pound PEEP graces the sky as the sunsets over SteelStacks. More photos on A2.
Crowds gather to get a view of the giant PEEP that bids farewell to 2024 and welcomes 2025 The marshmallow bunny was another crowd favorite.
The McNaughton family from Sinking Springs enjoys the evening at PEEPSFEST.
Joe, Lilly and Kristen McIntyre enjoy a PEEPS doughnut at PEEPFEST.
Iron Pigs mascot Ferrous the pig joins in the fun at PEEPSFEST.
Sophie and Parker Ryan check out the PEEPMOBILE before running off to the next activity at PEEPSFEST.
The giant PEEP lights up the sky as it prepares to drop welcoming in 2025.
