BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest’s annual Oktoberfest festival seems to have tapped into a formula to keep record attendance flowing.
The 15th annual German-themed festival, which ran Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12 on the SteelStacks campus, had record-breaking attendance for the second straight year, ArtsQuest has announced.
“We are thrilled to see the community come together once again to celebrate Oktoberfest at SteelStacks. The energy and enthusiasm from attendees of all ages was incredible. This festival is a true testament to the Lehigh Valley’s love of tradition, fun and great food and drink, and we’re so grateful to everyone who joined us.”
ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert
About 48,500 people attended the festival over its two weekends, ArtsQuest said in a release.
That edges out the 48,000 who attended in 2024, ArtsQuest said.
That was up about 10,000 attendees from 2023, when rainy weather hampered attendance, and up 6,500 – 13.5% over the 42,000 who attended in 2021, the year when the festival roared back after the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Because the festival is free to attend and not gated, attendance numbers are estimates.
“We are thrilled to see the community come together once again to celebrate Oktoberfest at SteelStacks,” ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert said.
“The energy and enthusiasm from attendees of all ages was incredible. This festival is a true testament to the Lehigh Valley’s love of tradition, fun and great food and drink, and we’re so grateful to everyone who joined us.”
Wendu Jamison
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ArtsQuest
‘Opportunity to watch the action’
Patrons had a large selection of traditional German fare, four biergartens with 38 varieties of lagers, ales, IPAs and more, with live traditional and rock music.
There were 58 bands and 28 Schuhplattler/dance performances over the two weekends.
There were 1,219 participants at this year’s Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k — up 3% over last year, according to ArtsQuest.
Spectator stands at the Wiener dog races and parade were “filled to capacity and with a big screen TV located outside the arena, everyone had an opportunity to watch the action,” ArtsQuest said.
There were 10 races and more than 160 puppy participants — up 14.3% — over the two Oktoberfest weekends.
The parades saw hundreds of pups dressed in lederhosen and dirndl and were even joined by three kitty participants (the first ever) for the last Sunday of the festival.
Contest winners
Attendees also competed in games such as Kong Pong, the first-ever Fliplehem: Oktoberfest Flip Cup Competition and the bratwurst-eating competition.
Fliplehem welcomed 10 teams, Kong Pong welcomed 16 teams, the Oktoberfest Pretzel Toss welcomed more than 10 pairs of competitors, ArtsQuest said.
“We are thrilled with the festive energy, live music and delicious flavors that made this year’s Oktoberfest a success.”
Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of title sponsor Lehigh Valley International Airport
Twenty-three people competed in the Pennsylvania State Stein Hoisting Championship in partnership with the U.S. Stein Hoisting Association, ArtsQuest said.
Winners were:
Women’s Competition: Jill Matthews — 5:57.
Men’s Competition: Jim Thompson — 14:07.
The bratwurst-eating competition had eight competitors who ate as many brats as they could. Rob M. won with 10 bratwursts in 3 minutes and 15 seconds.
“We are thrilled with the festive energy, live music and delicious flavors that made this year’s Oktoberfest a success,” said Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of title sponsor Lehigh Valley International Airport.
Stoudt said the airport “proudly supports ArtsQuest initiatives that celebrate our Lehigh Valley community through free events and cultural entertainment.”