Every summer, Bethlehem hosts its ten day summer music festival, or Musikfest. It is normally held during the first week of August. But for Bethlehem residents, the ordeal begins a week in advance. One of the biggest problems is the partial closing of Main Street, for decorating. The street remains closed until the end of the festival. The only access is to the Hotel Bethlehem. On the closed section of Main Street is a large portion of shopping and dining. Parking in the city becomes a nightmare, even when the festival has not opened yet. Residents in the immediate area often find their street parking spots taken by festival goers. Sometimes, it is surprising how far people will park from the festival grounds. It is a relief when the festival ends and the flow of the city returns to normal.
However much of a pain the festival is for the residents of the city, it is still a huge part of the city’s culture. Bethlehem has been able to keep many shops and cafes owned by families rather than franchises. During the festival, these shops and cafes get a massive spike in profits and notoriety. There are also a lot of street vendors and performers who set up shop on the curbs. The festival is a great source of revenue for the city of Bethlehem.
Over the years, Musikfest has become a huge event. No longer is it just for the residents of the Lehigh Valley. Every year, more and more people come from both all over the state and all over the country. It has even become a global event. During trips to Europe, often times locals have asked me where I am from. When I tell them I’m from the state of Pennsylvania in the United States, they sometimes respond that they have been there for Musikfest. The festival receives visitors from several European countries. The festival has grown not only in its popularity but also in its reputation. The festival used to be local performers but now receives some very popular bands. Some new bands are Third Eye Blind, Puddle of Mudd, and Trapt, and some older bands like Boston, Yes, and Asia. The local band Stasis played with Puddle of Mudd and Trapt. All of these concerts have been at the Sands Riverplace. I saw Boston last year and Third Eye Blind this year. I have seen Stasis play at a local music place affectionately known as Croc Rock, in Allentown. But, if you do not want to pay the price for some of these concerts, there are always free concerts around the festival grounds. There is something for everyone at the different tents. Some of the specific tents are the Americaplatz, Liederplatz, Lyrikplatz, and Plaza Tropical. Many different genres span the whole festival. Among the classic rock, jazz, polka, and miscellaneous other genres, you will find some unique music, like the Bell man and his bell machine.
There is much more than music at the festival too. Street vendors line Main Street selling snacks and beverages. Local artists display their works. Craftsmen sell their handmade goods. Vendors also have stalls down towards Sand Island. The area begins to resemble a bazaar. There are also plenty of places to get food. Most items must be purchased with food and beverage tickets, which is somewhat of a hassle. Some of the vendors sell international foods while most sell the usual American delicacies. In essence, there is something for everyone at Musikfest.
Musikfest also brings tourism to Bethlehem and the surrounding Lehigh Valley. Bethlehem receives many visitors both during the festival and its major holiday, Christmas. Tourism has helped stimulate the economy of the area after the collapse of the industrial giant, Bethlehem Steel. Bethlehem has many historical buildings around its downtown. The tourism center can help one locate them. Bethlehem also is home to the ancient Moravian College and the prestigious engineering school, Lehigh University. Tourists also now can visit the Sands Casino, located within the old steel mill. Aside from historic downtown Bethlehem, the surrounding area also has much to offer. From Sand Island, one can walk the canal path along the now derelict Lehigh Canal. The path runs east to the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers, where the city of Easton resides. Easton also has a rich history due to its location on the rivers. One can visit Lehigh’s rival school, Lafayette. The two schools have the longest running football rivalry in our nation. The Lehigh Valley has a beautiful countryside with lush farms and many small towns. On the northern edge of the valley sits the Appalachian Mountains, where one can hike the Appalachian Trail. The Lehigh Valley also has its own minor league baseball team, the Iron Pigs, which play at Coca Cola Park in Allentown.
Musikfest is another part of the rich history and culture of both Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley. The festival, along with many minor festivals like Celticfest, bring people from in town and out of town together. Coupled with the vast array of activities in the Lehigh Valley, the area becomes a great place to visit.
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