The 51st Annual Muhlenberg Summer Festival at will get under way at 5 tonight.
Artisans and craftspeople from around America join local exhibitors, offering hundreds of handcrafted items ranging from oil and watercolor paintings to wood carvings and paper jewelry.
Crafters and their creations are carefully screened and selected based on specific criteria. Each item must be handmade, contributing a unique quality to the array of crafts and artistic renderings presented at the festival.
Each night of the four-day festival will include special activities for children in “Kiddie Land,” such as grab bags, face painting, sand art, a duck pond and more. Plenty of food, crafts and free entertainment are available for patrons of all ages to enjoy.
Wednesday’s opening-night activities will include one-price ride tickets of $18 from 5-9, and live music from King Henry and the Showmen.
A big change for the festival this year is the new location. The festival will be held on the north side of the hospital campus near Routes 22 and 378. The move allows for more space and additional parking.
One of the hospital’s largest fundraisers for 51 years, the festival has raised more than $2 million during its long history to support services at the LVH—Muhlenberg campus. The very first festival was held even before ground was broken for what was to become the Muhlenberg Medical Center.
The first festival raised $4,400, compared with more than $88,000 raised last year. Last year’s proceeds will be used for equipment and renovation to the 1770 Bathgate Road building and the pediatric rehabilitation program.
Closing ceremonies on Saturday will feature one-price ride tickets of $15 from 1-4 p.m. This year’s raffle will be held at the end of the night on Saturday for the grand prize of a brand new bike. A performance by the Jesse Wade Gang starts at 7 p.m.
The rest of the festival schedule is as follows:
Festival Hours:
Wednesday, Aug. 15 – 5-10:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 16 – 5-10:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 17 – 5-10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18 – noon-10:30 p.m.
Entertainment Lineup:
Wednesday, Aug. 15
5-9 p.m. One-price ride tickets ($18)
7-10 p.m. King Henry and the Showmen
Thursday, Aug. 16
7-10 p.m. The Cramer Brothers Band
Friday, Aug. 17
7-10 p.m. School’s Out Band
Saturday, Aug. 18
3-5 p.m. One-price ride tickets ($15)
7-10 p.m. Jesse Wade Gang
10 p.m. Bike raffle and other prizes
