Kutztown Folk Festival: A Celebration of Pennsylvania Dutch Culture

The Kutztown Folk Festival is an annual festival held in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, that celebrates the culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch people. The festival is held over nine days in July, and it attracts over 300,000 visitors from all over the world.

The festival features a wide variety of activities, including:

• Live music from traditional Pennsylvania Dutch musicians, as well as other genres, such as folk, bluegrass, and country.

Dance performances by Pennsylvania Dutch dancers, as well as other ethnic dance groups.

Craft demonstrations by Pennsylvania Dutch artisans, such as blacksmiths, weavers, and potters

Food vendors serving traditional Pennsylvania Dutch foods, such as shoofly pie, scrapple, and lebkuchen.

A children's area with games, rides, and activities.

A variety of workshops on topics related to Pennsylvania Dutch culture

The Kutztown Folk Festival is a great opportunity to learn about the rich culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch people. It is also a fun and festive event that is sure to entertain visitors of all ages.

History of the Kutztown Folk Festival

The Kutztown Folk Festival was founded in 1950 by three American folklorists, Henry W. Shoemaker, Richard K. MacColl, and Henry D. Yoder. The festival was originally intended to be a way to preserve and promote the traditional culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch people.

The festival was a success from the start, and it quickly grew in popularity. In 1960, the festival was moved to its current location, the Kutztown Fairgrounds. The festival has continued to grow in popularity ever since, and it is now one of the largest folk festivals in the United States.

Highlights of the Kutztown Folk Festival

There are many highlights of the Kutztown Folk Festival, but some of the most popular include:

• **The Mutter Singers ****are a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch singing group that perform at the festival every year. The group is known for their beautiful harmonies and their lively performances.
  
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**The **Pennsylvania **Dutch Parade **is a colorful parade that takes place on the opening day of the festival. The parade features floats, bands, and traditional Pennsylvania Dutch characters.

*The **Firefly Ball **is a formal ball that takes place on the closing night of the festival. The ball features traditional Pennsylvania Dutch music and dancing

**The **Country Fair **is a fun and festive event that takes place on the last day of the festival. The fair features rides, games, and food vendors.

How to Attend the Kutztown Folk Festival?

The Kutztown Folk Festival is held every year from July 1-9 at the Kutztown Fairgrounds in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Tickets for the festival can be purchased online or at the gate.

The festival is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12.

Conclusion

The Kutztown Folk Festival is a great way to learn about the rich culture of the Pennsylvania Dutch people. It is also a fun and festive event that is sure to entertain visitors of all ages. I highly recommend attending the festival if you have the opportunity.