Kutztown Folk Festival, nation’s oldest folklife celebration, canceled

Steam engine tractor at the Kutztown Folk Festival. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

By Ashley Adams

November 21, 2024

Due to mounting financial challenges and dwindling attendance, the Kutztown Folk Festival will not return to Berks County in 2025, and could be done for good.

The Kutztown Folk Festival, the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in the U.S., has been canceled for 2025. And organizers said that unless someone else steps in to take over the long-running event, it will likely be canceled for good.

The nine-day summer event held in Berks County, which would have celebrated its 75th anniversary next year, was canceled as a result of mounting financial challenges.

“This was a difficult choice, but due to dwindling attendance, increased costs and continued net losses, we are no longer able to host the Kutztown Folk Festival,” said Ed Richmond, vice president and chief financial officer of the Kutztown Pennsylvania German Festival, Inc. “We are hopeful that a successor, or successors, will step up to reimagine the event and take on its operations moving forward.”

The Kutztown Folk Festival provided insight into the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their fascinating way of life. The festival featured hex sign making, square dancing from the Lester Miller family, farming and folklife demonstrations, and numerous food and craft vendors selling Pennsylvania Dutch fare.

Started in 1950, the festival has grown over the years and multiple generations of the same local families continued to present and participate at the festival. At its peak, the event drew more than 130,000 attendees.

“The Festival is a true community event, and we are grateful to the volunteers, staff, vendors, craftspeople, sponsors and patrons who contributed to its cultural legacy,” Richmond said. “This decision to suspend operations was difficult.”

Festival organizers said the annual budget in 2024 was $1 million and that since 2022, the event has lost $347,000.

Organizers said the event also doesn’t have the same appeal to the younger generations that it did several years ago.

Author

Ashley Adams

In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

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