BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Aerialists will defy gravity in inflated globes 60 feet above the ground while BMX riders attempt equally impressive stunts.
Those attractions — plus more than 400 free musical acts — will be part of the entertainment at Musikfest 2024.
The 11-day city-wide festival will begin with a preview night starting at 5 p.m. Thursday and run through Sunday, Aug. 11.
Last year, Musikfest celebrated its 40th anniversary and drew 1,330,000 visitors, breaking the record mark of 1.24 million established in 2022.
Here's what ArtsQuest, the nonprofit which organizes the event, has planned for its 41st year.
For a downloadable map of the North Side and South Side of the stages, called platzes — German for "places" —go to the Musikfest website.
Barbecue, desserts, vegan eats
Along with fan favorites such as Hogar Crea, Island Noodles and Heidi's Strudel,eight new food vendors have signed on to take part in the country's largest free music festival.
Among the eateries: Algorithm Vegan Grill(seitan-based sandwiches, grain bowls, vegetable soups), and Philly Corn Company (roasted corn on the cob).
Also, Mon and Mel's Sweet Scoops Ice Cream (Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Toast crunch milkshakes, hot fudge sundaes), and Empanada Guy (pulled pork, chicken, beef and lobster empanadas).
Also, Hungry Hound Express(cheesesteaks, cheeseburgers), Randevoo (steamed buns, wontons, chicken and beef skewers), the Edge Restaurant (sliders, small bites), Uno Taqueria (seafood, chicken and beef tacos, burritos and the Taste Smokers(pulled pork, brisket, jerk chicken).
Corn eating, steinholding contests
Speaking of food, Aw Shucks! Roasted Corn, one of Musikfest's longest-running vendors, will debut its corn-eating competition at 7 p.m. Aug. 7.
The entrant who can be the fastest to eat five ears of corn (corn must be eaten horizontally) will win $100. Registration is $10 and contestants must be 18 or older.
In a beer-related contest, the Pennsylvania State Steinholding Championship Qualifiers will occur at 7 p.m. Aug 8 in front of the Stadtplatz Stage.
How it works: There will be separate competitions for men and women. Contestants who can keep their stein held up the longest while following the rules will automatically qualify to be a part of the state championships at Oktoberfest at SteelStacks on Oct. 13.
Participants must be 21 or older at the time of the competition and U.S. Stein-holding rules will apply. Registration is free.
Aerialists from Italy, BMX riders
eVenti Vertical’s SPHERE will make its debut in the United States at the Handwerkplatz.
Showtimes are 7 and 9 p.m. Aug. 9-11.
eVenti Vertical’s SPHERE is a 30-minute outdoor performance delivered by five aerialists suspended from a crane 60 feet above the ground.
The sphere is raised by a crane, becoming a gigantic, fully inflated stunning globe and transforming into a place where everything comes alive.
The aerialists take the audience on a journey reflecting on our miraculous lives here on our planet Earth.
Also new at Handwerkplatz: the new Monster Enery BMX Stunt Team experience.
Showtimes are at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Aug. 9 and Aug. 10, and 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Aug. 11.
Along with the high-energy 20-minute stunt show, there will be a live deejay.
Live podcasts, new mural
You can be part of the live recording of new comedy podcasts at the Icehouse on Saturdays.
Proper Ebonics, hosted by comedians Alan Massenburg and Kirk Griffiths, will share takes on pop culture and current events at 2 p.m. Aug. 3.
Night Moves, a weekly comedy podcast hosted by comics Tyler Rothrock, Sean Preston and Lou Misiano, will record at 2 p.m. Aug. 10.
Entry is free to both shows.
Also, be on the lookout for Musikfest 2024 poster artist Lauren Beck's new mural (located across from the Visitor Center and First Street bus shelter).
The mural project was made possible with a grant through Creative Communities and the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, and inspired by Beck's Musikfest poster, which features stars and an abstract skyline.
New music groups, diverse sounds
According to ArtsQuest, there will be 422 artists performing this year a total of 530 performances this year.
Of the musicians, 48% are female members in a group; 36% identify as artists of color and 42% of the bands are first-time performers, according to ArtsQuest.
Among the new free acts this year: Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the legendary jazz group from New Orleans, and Shwayze, a hip-hop artist from Malibu, California, who had two Top 50 hits in the 2000s.
Homegrown groups include the Warped Band (a tribute to the traveling rock Warped Tour) from Mechaniscburg, Cumberland County; Rift (a tribute to Phish) from Philadelphia; Philly Nelson (a tribute to Willie Nelson) from Philadelphia; Burn the Jukebox (party/cover group) from Wilkes-Barre; and Sol Katana (Latin rock band) from the Poconos.
For the 11-day schedule, go to the Musikfest website.
Ticketed headliners performing on Musikfest's main Steel Stage will be Greta Van Fleet (Thursday, Aug. 1); Sugar Ray, Better Than Ezra and Tonic (Friday, Aug. 2); Shinedown (Saturday, Aug. 3); Jowell & Randy (Sunday, Aug. 4); SLASH — S.E.R.P.E.N.T Festival (Monday, Aug. 5); Old Dominion (Aug. 6); Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 7); Black Eyed Peas (Aug. 8); Big Time Rush (Aug. 9); Ludacris (Aug. 10); and ZZ Top (Aug. 11).
For tickets, go to the Musikfest website.
Bus rides from Easton, where to park
Leave the car at home: Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority's Enhanced Bus Service system will start its new route, the Gold Line from the north side to south side of Bethlehem. on Friday, Aug. 2.
Passengers also will be able to hop on the Blue Line from Trexlertown to Easton and the Green Line from Whitehall Township to Wind Creek Casino-Bethlehem.
The buses will run from 6 a.m. to 1:40 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 6 a.m. to 9:40 p.m. Sundays.
LANTA's EV busesare air-conditioned and ADA wheelchair accessible.
Additionally, shuttle buses provided by Trans-Bridge Lines Inc., will depart from Penn State Lehigh Valley, at 2809 Saucon Valley Road.
The Center Valley lot will be available starting on Musikfest's preview night — Aug. 1, and operate from 5-11 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon-11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The shuttles will provide non-stop service to Shuttleplatz South (the Wind Creek parking lot).
Round trip will cost $9 per adult (13 and older); $7 for ages 3-12 when accompanied by a fare-paying adult; and free for ages 2 and younger.
Here are the LANTA shuttle and parking fares:
BPA Parking Garages: $15 per vehicle. The price includes unlimited rides on Blue, Green and Gold Line shuttles (operated by LANTA).
Remote Parking Lots: $9 per Adult (13 and older), $7 for ages 3-12, free for those under 2. The price includes shuttle service to the festival and unlimited rides on the Purple Line North-South Transfer.
Additional Shuttle Passes: Unlimited Ride Day Passes for Blue, Green and Gold Line shuttle, $4 cash or Mobile Ticket, free for children under 5; Unlimited Ride Day Passes for Purple North-South Transfer, $6 per adult (13 and older) or $4 for ages 3-12, free for those under 2.
Merchandise, lounge for multi-sensory experience
Musikfest 2024's "Go Fest Yourself" mug and limited-edition hats and T-shirts will be for sale at the festival, along with tickets at ArtsQuest new 26-foot-long, air-conditioned trailer that boasts two service windows.
Also, ArtsQuest's Listening Lounge offers a comfortable space with accessible seating options and is located on South Side in front of the flywheel.
There will be wireless headphones and/or a vibrating backpack (BASSpak) to witness the live music with increased clarity, creating a multi-sensory experience for attendees who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who experience sensory-processing disorders, autism, social anxiety and other issues.
Industry and Education Conference
For those who wish to pair their concert experience with the business side of things, Musikfest's first Music Industry and Education conference will include discussions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 and Friday, Aug. 2.
The full conference costs $90. Thursday only or Friday only are $50, or $40 for students.
You can add a Musikest mug and single general admission ticket to a main stage show for $20.
The list of classes is available at Musikfest.org.
