The local community is a big part of the annual Kutztown Folk Festival’s success.
“We’re in our 68th year now and I think the fact that we’re Pennsylvania Dutch-themed folk festival, that’s what we’ve always been and continue to be conscious of that. We have a tremendous amount of support from the community. Various non-profit organizations and service groups that are involved with this festival. I think that’s been critical and a key part of the success of this festival,” said Festival Director Steven Sharadin.
Sharadin credits the festival’s uniqueness for bringing the crowds back year after.
“Our visitors are able to make connections with folks, our craftsmen, our food vendors, our entertainers and they look forward to seeing a lot of those same folks each year,” he said. “Even though we always try to have some new folks involved with the festival participating we don’t loose sight of the fact that the connection that our participants make with the visitors is really important and a key part of what keeps those visitors coming back year after year.”
Sharadin hopes visitors leave at the end of their festival adventure feeling good with what they saw and got to be involved with.
“It’s a lot of hands-on experiences here. It’s an educational event as well as entertaining. I think they get something here that they don’t get at any other festival,” said Sharadin.
On opening day, Kutztown Optimist Hugh Smith volunteered with other Optimist members in the Kutztown Optimist Club food stand at the festival, selling hamburgers, hot dogs and kraut, BBQ, pierogies, fries, crab cake, breakfast foods and other festival food. About 45 out of the 100 Optimist members volunteer at the food stand during the week of the festival, this year July 1 to 9.
“I like the fun that everybody has and that so many kids in town get to have their first job here. It’s a real learning experience,” said Smith. “Every year we have different kids working with us and then they evolve and go into higher level jobs. I think it’s really good for our community.”
Proceeds made at their food stand help the Optimist Club achieve their motto “Friend Of Youth” with programs that benefit local children, including scholarships, youth sports and donate to special causes. The Optimists host community events such as the Fool’s Run and Easter Egg Hunt.
Fleetwood resident Zach Slusser, 17, worked at the festival for the first time this year, selling turkey legs at one of the food stands. He will be a senior at Fleetwood High School in the fall.
“I think it’s cool to get out and experience some of the other things that Berks County has to offer,” said Slusser. “I’m learning about the Pa Dutch culture and about customer service, a lot of job experience. My favorite part so far is definitely being able to experience everything that’s here, get a behind the scenes look (of the festival).”
