ArtsQuest announced that Pennsylvania First Lady Susan Corbett will be the  guest speaker at the Musikfest 2014 Opening Ceremonies Aug. 1, 6 p.m., at Aetna Americaplatz at the Levitt Pavilion at SteelStacks. Mrs. Corbett, who is also the Chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, was the keynote speaker at the dedication of the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks on April 15, 2011.

Other dignitaries slated to attend the Musikfest Opening Ceremonies this year include U.S. Sen. Charlie Dent, Pennsylvania Sen. Lisa Boscola, State Reps. Daniel McNeill and Justin Simmons, Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller, Northampton County Executive John Brown, Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez, City of Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority Director Tony Hanna and members of the Northampton County and City of Bethlehem Councils.

The opening ceremonies will also include the presentation of three ArtsQuest Founders Awards, as well as a performance by the Marlene Gilley Swingtet. Founders Awards, which recognize longtime ArtsQuest partners that have played integral roles in the success of Musikfest over the years, will be presented to the City of Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority, Christmas City Printing and PPL.

Musikfest, the largest free music festival in the nation, will take place Aug. 1-10 throughout Bethlehem. This year’s event features nearly 350 performers including artists such as Keith Urban, Steely Dan, Jason Derulo, The Moody Blues and more. In addition to 500 performances on 14 stages, Musikfest includes 65 food vendors, 45 artisans and a variety of family activities and special events during its 10-day run.

For more information on Musikfest 2014, please visit www.musikfest.org.