BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Thanks to near-perfect weather, ArtsQuest's Oktoberfest had record attendance in its 14th year, it was announced Wednesday.
About 48,000 people attended the two-weekend festival Oct. 4-6 and 11-13 on the SteelStacks campus, ArtsQuest said.
That was up nearly 25% from the crowds of 38,500 last year, when rainy weather hampered attendance.
It even was better than the 42,000 who attended in 2021, the year when the festival roared back after the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“It’s hard to believe Oktoberfest has already come and gone, and with the help of Mother Nature, it was a fantastic two weekends of Oktoberfestivities.”ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert
Because the festival is free to attend and not gated, attendance numbers are estimates.
"This year’s Oktoberfest presented was met with a warm welcome from Mother Nature with clear skies and beautiful weather for both weekends of the festival," ArtsQuest said in a release.
Food and beverage revenue was up a staggering 68% compared with 2023, ArtsQuest said.
Patrons had a large selection of traditional German faire, four biergartens with 38 varieties of lagers, ales, IPAs and more, with live traditional and rock music and more from 53 bands.
There also was competition in games such as Kong Pong and the Oktoberfest's first Human Foosball Tournament.
“It’s hard to believe Oktoberfest has already come and gone, and with the help of Mother Nature, it was a fantastic two weekends of Oktoberfestivities,” ArtsQuest President Kassie Hilgert said.
“We introduced some tremendous new programming this year with the Bratwurst Toss, the Human Foosball Tournament and the Yuengling Beer Dinner, along with crowd favorites like the Wiener dog races and Stein-holding competitions.”
'Truly brew-tiful'
Participants at this year’s Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k numbered 1,183 participants — down from an estimated 1,300 last year.
The new Human Foosball competition welcomed 10 teams and 27 individuals competed in the Pennsylvania State Stein Hoisting Championship, ArtsQuest said.
“This year was a huge success. Thank you to the community for coming out and supporting to make this year’s Oktoberfest truly brew-tiful.”ArtsQuest Director of Festival and Event Operations Eric Bauder
Pennsylvania State Stein Hoisting winners were:
Women’s Competition: Jill Matthews, Bethlehem Oktoberfest, 3:52; Rebecca Hokiem, Groove Brewing, 3:35; and Shareen Bachma, Yergey Brewing, 3:12.
Men’s Competition: James Thompson, Rural City Beer Co., 13:57; Jeff Wishmyer, Market Cross Pub & Brewery, 12:01: and Kevin Oliver, Groove Brewing, 11:00.
The festival's stands were filled for the Wiener dog races and parade. There were 10 races and more than 140 puppy participants over the two Oktoberfest weekends.
That was up about 40% from puppy participation last year.
The Bratwurst Eating Competition welcomed four competitors, with Bryant Grimm winning by eating 10 bratwursts in six minutes and 21 seconds.
Rob Meyers of Eight-Legged Brewing’s Pumpkin Funnel Cake won Best Homebrew at the Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild Brewers’ Village.
“This year was a huge success,” ArtsQuest Director of Festival and Event Operations Eric Bauder said.
“Thank you to the community for coming out and supporting to make this year’s Oktoberfest truly brew-tiful.”
