BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Despite Mother Nature not cooperating with the lineup of Musikfest, ArtsQuest and many vendors are prepared with tents and coverage if our region sees some rain.
You could say they learned a thing or two as this event is in its 43rd year in its history.
Drawing out more than 1 million people last year alone, it’s made its mark as the nation’s largest free music festival, a massive footprint that’s now being archived in the Bethlehem Area Public Library.
Now available free to the public, the new Musikfest Digital Collection allows history and music lovers alike to explore the festival’s deep roots through photographs and digitized program booklets.
The collection currently features photographs from the 1996 festival as well as official Musikfest programs from 1984 through 1999.
This doesn’t stop there, as library officials say additional years are planned for the future.
Its executive director says the collection helps preserve an important part of Bethlehem’s history while making it available to anyone, anywhere.
“For longtime residents, it’s an opportunity to relive favorite memories. You might even find yourself or a friend in the pictures from thirty years ago! For newer community members and visitors, it’s a really fun look at how Musikfest has grown alongside our city,” said Josh Berk, Executive Director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library.
You can find that archive on the Bethlehem’s Area Public Library’s website here.