BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The music is still playing, the mugs are still out, and the fun is far from over at Musikfest.<\/p>\n
69 News Reporter Sydney Kay spoke to crews at ArtsQuest about its number of record-breaking days they had this year and how they make sure this festival is accessible for everyone.<\/p>\n
The sun rises over SteelStacks, giving light to an already busy morning at Musikfest Friday.<\/p>\n
Country artist Parker McCollum\u2019s tour buses roll in just hours after Bailey Zimmerman\u2019s performance on the Wind Creek Steel Stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust last night, these seats weren\u2019t here. We had a standing room only pit. Overnight, crews reset these seats so that we\u2019re ready for a great night with Parker McCollum,\u201d said Patrick Brogan, the chief programming officer at ArtsQuest.<\/p>\n
The heat and humidity haven\u2019t been forgiving this last week, a factor that impacts production, especially on the main stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wind is really important, the wind direction is really important, the humidity is important\u2026 The walls are made out of a tarp-like material and they do catch wind and the stage could shift,\u201d said ArtsQuest Production Coordinator Grace Mack.<\/p>\n
The weather hasn\u2019t slowed down turnout, with \u2018Weird Al\u2019 Yankovic\u2019s show on Tuesday marking the festival\u2019s largest weekday crowd ever.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s one diverse show after another, along with an army of staff and volunteers behind it.<\/p>\n
\u201cPack your patience, pack your sunscreen, and come down to Musikfest for our final blow out weekend here at the party,\u201d said Brogan.<\/p>\n
For those looking to fest, but also need a place to take a breather, they can stop by the Inclusion Zones on the North and South sides.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have lots of sensory toys, mindfulness opportunities. Lots of different opportunities for relaxation and play as well,\u201d Leah Barron said, who\u2019s the director of the Inclusion Zones.<\/p>\n
The zones provide a safe space for those with sensory challenges or in need of a break thanks to Accessible Festivals and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
The rehab center has been working with ArtsQuest on accessibility at Musikfest for the last several years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe identified with them the opportunity to provide accessible seating for wheelchair users at the main stage,\u201d said Mike Walbert, the director of marketing at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation.<\/p>\n
Musikfest\u2019s Inclusion Day at the Levitt Pavilion will kick off on Saturday, August 8 at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n