{"id":2103646,"date":"2025-10-20T14:04:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2103646"},"modified":"2025-10-20T14:04:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:04:11","slug":"a-keg-full-of-fun-artsquests-oktoberfest-has-another-record-breaking-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/a-keg-full-of-fun-artsquests-oktoberfest-has-another-record-breaking-year\/","title":{"rendered":"A keg-full of fun: ArtsQuest’s Oktoberfest has another record-breaking year"},"content":{"rendered":"

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BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 ArtsQuest\u2019s annual Oktoberfest festival seems to have tapped into a formula to keep record attendance flowing.<\/p>\n

The 15th annual German-themed festival, which ran Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12 on the SteelStacks campus, had record-breaking attendance for the second straight year, ArtsQuest has announced.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are thrilled to see the community come together once again to celebrate Oktoberfest at SteelStacks. The energy and enthusiasm from attendees of all ages was incredible. This festival is a true testament to the Lehigh Valley\u2019s love of tradition, fun and great food and drink, and we\u2019re so grateful to everyone who joined us.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

About 48,500 people attended the festival over its two weekends, ArtsQuest said in a release.<\/p>\n

That edges out the 48,000 who attended in 2024, ArtsQuest said.<\/p>\n

That was up about 10,000 attendees from 2023, when rainy weather hampered attendance, and up 6,500 \u2013 13.5% over the 42,000 who attended in 2021, the year when the festival roared back after the COVID-19 lockdowns.<\/p>\n

Because the festival is free to attend and not gated, attendance numbers are estimates.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to see the community come together once again to celebrate Oktoberfest at SteelStacks,” ArtsQuest Chief Executive Officer Kassie Hilgert said.<\/p>\n

“The energy and enthusiasm from attendees of all ages was incredible. This festival is a true testament to the Lehigh Valley\u2019s love of tradition, fun and great food and drink, and we\u2019re so grateful to everyone who joined us.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Wendu Jamison<\/p>\n

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ArtsQuest<\/p>\n<\/div>

ArtsQuest’s Oktoberfest had a record attendance year this year.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018Opportunity to watch the action’<\/h2>\n

Patrons had a large selection of traditional German fare, four biergartens with 38 varieties of lagers, ales, IPAs and more, with live traditional and rock music.<\/p>\n

There were 58 bands and 28 Schuhplattler\/dance performances over the two weekends.<\/p>\n

There were 1,219 participants at this year\u2019s Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k \u2014 up 3% over last year, according to ArtsQuest.<\/p>\n

Spectator stands at the Wiener dog races and parade were \u201cfilled to capacity and with a big screen TV located outside the arena, everyone had an opportunity to watch the action,\u201d ArtsQuest said.<\/p>\n

There were 10 races and more than 160 puppy participants \u2014 up 14.3% \u2014 over the two Oktoberfest weekends. <\/p>\n

The parades saw hundreds of pups dressed in lederhosen and dirndl and were even joined by three kitty participants (the first ever) for the last Sunday of the festival.<\/p>\n

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\n\"Oktoberfest<\/p>\n<\/picture>\n
ArtsQuest’s Oktoberfest had record attendance this year.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Contest winners<\/h2>\n

Attendees also competed in games such as Kong Pong, the first-ever Fliplehem: Oktoberfest Flip Cup Competition and the bratwurst-eating competition.<\/p>\n

Fliplehem welcomed 10 teams, Kong Pong welcomed 16 teams, the Oktoberfest Pretzel Toss welcomed more than 10 pairs of competitors, ArtsQuest said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe are thrilled with the festive energy, live music and delicious flavors that made this year\u2019s Oktoberfest a success.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of title sponsor Lehigh Valley International Airport<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Twenty-three people competed in the Pennsylvania State Stein Hoisting Championship in partnership with the U.S. Stein Hoisting Association, ArtsQuest said.<\/p>\n

Winners were:<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Competition: Jill Matthews \u2014 5:57.<\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Competition: Jim Thompson \u2014 14:07.<\/p>\n

The bratwurst-eating competition had eight competitors who ate as many brats as they could. Rob M. won with 10 bratwursts in 3 minutes and 15 seconds.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled with the festive energy, live music and delicious flavors that made this year\u2019s Oktoberfest a success,\u201d said Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of title sponsor Lehigh Valley International Airport.<\/p>\n

Stoudt said the airport \u201cproudly supports ArtsQuest initiatives that celebrate our Lehigh Valley community through free events and cultural entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n