THE KUTZTOWN FESTIVAL: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT KEY TO OUR SUCCESS
More Information: Dave Fooks, 610-683-1537
e-mail fooks@kutztown.edu
Fifty-seven years ago, a small group of educators, farmers, and community leaders pulled together to create the first folklife festival in Kutztown, which attracted a few hundred curious sightseers. Today, community leadership and support continues to be the cornerstone of the Kutztown Festival, and attendance is up to 130,000 visitors.
The Kutztown University Foundation, Inc., whose mission is to generate financial support for Kutztown University, and the Kutztown Fair Association, owners of the historic Kutztown Fairgrounds, are partners in the Kutztown Festival. Recognizing the importance of ongoing strong ties to the community, the Festival's board of directors voted last year to provide significant college scholarship aid to students in the Kutztown area. In 2005-06, $20,000 in scholarships was designated for this purpose.
The Kutztown Festival is the largest-attended event in Berks County and has important economic implications for the wider community. The regional economic impact of the Festival in 2005 is estimated to be $11.5 million, according to the International Festivals and Events Association. The creation of more than 1,000 jobs during the nine-day festival is one of the key items in this economic impact.
In turn, the contributions of scores of local volunteers and participation of more than twenty-five local not for profit groups result in a rich community spirit that is vital to the Festival's success
The Festival's annual survey of about 1500 visitors reveals the important role of volunteers, most of whom come from Kutztown and the nearby area. They are consistently cited for their friendliness and helpfulness. The core group consists of about 200 volunteers who serve as greeters, information booth attendants, quilt barn helpers, and survey takers.
Hundreds more staff the booths run by local civic groups and churches.
They sell food ranging from local favorites such as corn fritters and shoo fly pie to full course all-you-can-eat dinners. These organizations have an opportunity to raise money to help support their own important projects in the community and, for many of these groups, participation in the festival is the largest fund raising endeavor of the year.
“Our volunteers are true good will ambassadors. We hear constantly about their warmth and kindness. When visitors enter the festival grounds, when they stop by our information booth, or when they walk up to one of the many booths operated by local service clubs, community organizations, or churches, they receive a hearty hometown welcome. It's a tradition that is almost as old as the festival itself,” comments Festival Executive Director Dave Fooks.
The Kutztown Festival features a wide variety of good family fun. In addition to lots of Pennsylvania Dutch food, there are 220 nationally-recognized, juried folk artists and traditional American craftsmen; nearly 2,500 locally hand-made quilts on display and for sale; Pennsylvania German living history through numerous folklife programs, antiques and collectables, 6 stages of entertainment, music, dancing, and a wide range of children's activities.
The 2006 festival runs from July 1 – 9 at the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $10, seniors $9. Children 12 and under are admitted free. There is ample free parking and free shuttle service is offered from the Festival parking areas to the fairgrounds. For a free brochure, please call 1-888-674-6136 or 610-683-1597. Visit the Festival website at http://www.kutztownfestival.com
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