MACUNGIE, Pa — The engine purr of classic cars is on its way back to the Lehigh Valley as Macungie Memorial Park's Das Awkscht Fescht returns this weekend.
Billed as one of the country's largest antique and classic car shows, the festival is in its 61st season and will take place on Aug. 2-4 starting at 6 a.m. each day.
Admission is $10 for adults and free for ages 15 and younger.Das Awkscht Fescht promotional materials
Admission is $10 for adults and free for ages 15 and younger.
The highlight car this year will be the Ford Mustang, to mark the 60th anniversary of Ford's longest-produced car brand.
Across the 42-acre festival grounds, attendees can expect to see hundreds of classic, antique and specialty cars dating to the early 1900s.
Cars shown at the fest are given participant awards.
Also while there, attendees can see a line-up of live music including BC Blue, the Craig Thatcher Band, The Castaways and The Macungie Band.
Alongside the cars will be arts, crafts and antiques for sale, a large flea market and car part sale, toy show and kids entertainment.
New this year will be a hot air balloon.
Macungie Park fundraiser
The festival, along with other festivals such as the upcoming Wheels of Time event, are major fundraisers for the park, which is not owned by the borough and instead exists as a nonprofit entity.
The park and the Ontelaunee region of the Antique Automobile Club of America run the event.
Festival Chairman Bob Hobaugh said while the festival runs counter to Bethlehem's massive Musikfest festival he expects a lot of crossover and a lot of excitement as organizers and participants share the love of their hobby.
"We pull from four states and at least 25 counties," Hobaugh said about people who attend Das Awkscht Fescht.
"We want to bring in younger people into our hobby and to assure the continuance of a great show.
Special guests
Shelby American engineer Chuck Cantwell and journalist John Clor will be featured guests at the event, bringing their unique perspectives to the history-filled festival.
Clor has raced, worked on and written about Fords and Mustangs for decades, and developed the Ford Performance Club Connect outreach program.
He currently manages enthusiast communications on FordPerformance.com.
Cantwell was an instrumental part of transforming the Mustang into a sports car, and his work contributed to many racing championships.
Clor will be at Das Awkscht Fescht on Friday and Cantwell on Saturday and Sunday.
