“Kutztown Folk Festival” name coming back to Kutztown

More Information: Dave Fooks, 610-683-1537
e-mail: david@kutztownfestival.com

Most local folks can still remember the split up of the Kutztown Folk Festival, and the consequent articles such as the “Dueling Festivals”, and the associated confusion caused by having two Festivals representative of what had become an American icon, as well as being the first folklife festival in America.

The original name, many of the props and numerous entertainers and craftsmen moved up to Summit Station with Richard Thomas, a long-time Festival food vendor who bought the name and associated business property, and started his festival in 1996.

Also in 1996, a festival was held in the original location, the Kutztown Fairgrounds, with the help of Kutztown University Foundation and the Kutztown Fairgrounds Association. Again, many of the entertainers, craftsmen and food vendors from the original festival stayed in Kutztown and participated in this festival, the Kutztown PA German Festival.

In 2003 Mr. Thomas' festival closed it's doors, and the Kutztown PA German Festival, now known as the Kutztown Festival, became one of the top festivals in the country. The Kutztown Festival bought many of the original props at auction in 2004 and brought them back to their original home in Kutztown. These included many displays and folklife signage, several horse drawn hearses made in Kutztown, and the famous “Big Green Chair”, considered by many to be the most well known and fondly remembered item ever at the Festival.

Now, through the cooperative efforts of Kutztown Folklorist Dick Shaner, as well as Mr. Richard Thomas, the original name the “Kutztown Folk Festival is returning to it's home at the Kutztown Festival. This name is recognized worldwide as one of the original and unusual festivals that America has ever produced, and has remained as fond memories in the hearts of millions of Americans.

Mr. Shaner, a Kutztown resident, is a highly respected folklife writer and antiques expert, has participated in the Festival since ____, and was responsible for many of the exceptional displays and exhibits to be found there. Mr. Thomas started working at the Festival since soon after it's inception in 1950, and eventually had his entire family involved producing much of the PA Dutch food that the Festival was so well known for.

In respect of the tradition and history, the Kutztown PA German Festival Board of Directors have voted unanimously to start using the original name, the Kutztown Folklife Festival”, and would like to thank everyone involved who so generously worked to bring unity and tradition back to this famous local attraction.

The name will be incorporated in promotion and publicity over a three year period to avoid any confusion among the over 100,000 visitors that come yearly from every state in the country.