Celebrating its 68th year, the Kutztown Folk Festival showcases traditional Pennsylvania Dutch culture and continues to entice travelers from near and far with new events and features. The Kutztown Folk Festival announces a variety of new attractions for visitors to enjoy, including historic folklife presentations, an authentic Tinsmith Shop, 19-piece German Brass Band and functional steam engine from 1910.
Step back in time at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center and the Mennonite Heritage Center, as historians provide presentations and classes on the lifestyles of Mennonites and early Pennsylvania Dutch residents in the Eastern Pennsylvania area. Guests can learn about the PA German art form, Fraktur, a style of lettering and folk art commonly seen on birth and marriage certificates between 1740-1860. Those interested can also try their hand at creating their own piece of art in the Festival’s schoolhouse. 
Visitors interested in a more industrial experience can visit the 20,000-pound 1910 Case, Model-75 Steam Traction Engine, one of the largest portable steam engines built. Individuals can learn the history of this Industrial Revolution machine while watching it power antique Sonan Brothers agricultural equipment. Afterwards, head to the Tinsmith’s Workshop for a hands-on experience with a true craftsman as he creates authentic mugs, coffee pots, lanterns and more from raw sheet tin material.
On July 8th, celebrate the folk festival with a bang of German music, performed by the 19-piece Shippensburg Blaskapelle German Brass Band. Feel the rhythm and dance to the beat as they play rolling beer-drinking songs, traditional melodies and lively polkas and waltzes that will have everyone on their feet! 
Visitors will be able to enjoy returning events and activities including live entertainment, 200 of the country’s finest craftsmen, traditional Pennsylvania Dutch foods and beverages from five local wineries, and America’s Largest Quilt Sale featuring over 2,500 locally handmade quilts. For a $2 off coupon, visit the website: http://www.kutztownfestival.com/

The Festival’s Complete Schedule:

Main Stage, Daily
11:00-11:45 Sauerkraut Brass Band 7/1, 7/3, 7/5, 7/6, 7/7, 7/8
12:00-12:45 Bill Meck & Leroy Brown, Dialect Humor
12:45-1:00 Cake Walk w/ Virginville Grange & Bill Meck
1:00-1:45 See Guest Performers/Special Events
2:00-2:45 Celtic Martin’s
2:45-3:00 Cake Walk w/ Virginville Grange & Bill Meck
3:00-3:45 Old Time Country Auction
4:00-4:45 See Guest Performers/Special Events
5:00-5:45 The Celtic Martins

Evenings 6pm – 8pm
7/1 Mountain Folk Opry – Festival Variety Show
7/2 Grexin
7/7 Wallace Brothers
7/8 Blaskapelle Shippensburg German Band

July 4th
10:45 Keith Brintzenhoff – PA Dutch Duo
11:45 July 4th Ceremony
12:00 Resume Daily Schedule

July 8th
11:00 – Toad Creek Duo
12:00 – Best of Show Quilt auction
3:00 – Celtic Martins
4:00 – County Auction
4:45 – Cake Walk
5:00 – Celtic Martins

Main Stage Guest Performers/Special Events
7/1 – Ed Goldberg & Odessa Klezmer Band, 1pm & 4pm
7/2 – PA German Community Church Service, Dr. Harry Serio, 10:30am
7/2 – Zepp Family Band, 1pm & 4pm
7/3 – Acoustic Roadshow, Local Musical Showcase, 1pm & 4pm
7/4 – 4th of July Festival Ceremony – 11:45pm – 12:15pm
7/4 – East Side Dave Kline’s 4th of July Special, 1pm & 4pm
7/5 – Cat Elwell & Saucony Grass, 1pm & 4pm
7/5 – Red Hat Lady’s – Best Hat Competition, 1:45pm
7/6 – Ed Goldberg & Odessa Klezmer Band, 1pm & 4pm
7/7 – Seasons, 1pm & 4pm
7/8 – Best of Show Quilt Auction, 12pm – 2:30pm
7/9 – PA German Community Church Service, Dr. Harry Serio, 10:30am
7/9 – Little Brass Band, 1pm & 4pm

Seminar Stage, Daily
11:30-12:00 Hex Signs & Barn Stars, Myth & Meaning – Patrick Donmoyer
12:00-12:30 PA Germans at Gettysburg – Dr. David Valuska 7/1, 7/2, 7/5 & 7/8
The Mennonites – Mike Rhoads 7/6 & 7/7
12:30-1:00 Schooling, Dr. William Donner
1:00 – 1:30 Spirituality, Dr. Harry Serio
1:30-3:30 Cultural Theme Speakers/Special Presentations
3:30-4:00 Leroy Brown-Life of a Dutchman
4:00-4:30 Bill Meck & Leroy Brown, Dialect Humor
4:30-5:00 Quilts – Utilitarian, Decorative, Collectible

Evenings July 2nd, 3rd, 8th, & 9th
5:00-6:00 Crafts of the Festival and Cultural Events, Dr. Bill Donner
6:00-7:00 “Growing Up Dutch” – Bring your stories and questions, open to all
festival visitors and participants.

Seminar Stage Special Events
7/2 – Liar’s Contest, 1:30pm
7/3 – Deitsch Writer’s Fescht, 1:30pm
7/7 – Liar’s Contest, 1:30pm
Children’s Essay – TBA

Children’s Stage, Daily
11:15-11:45 Marty’s Miraculous Flea Circus
12:00-12:30 Ed and Brenda Hanna, Puppets
12:45- 1:30 Keith Brintzenhoff, Storytelling and Music
1:45-2:15 Marty’s Miraculous Flea Circus
2:30- 3:00 Ed and Brenda Hanna, Puppets
3:15 – 3:45 Traditional Wedding
4:00-4:30 Ed & Brenda Hanna, Puppets
4:30- 5:00 Marty’s Miraculous Flea Circus

Afternoon/Evenings on July 2rd, 3rd, 8th, & 9th
5:00-5:45 7/2 & 7/3 Todd Newman – Children’s Show
7/8 & 7/9 Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
6:30-7:15 7/2 & 7/3 Todd Newman – Children’s Show
7/8 & 7/9 Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase

Hoedown Stage, Daily
11:00-11:45 Toad Creek Duo w/Keith Brintzenhoff
12:00-12:30 Hoedowning, By the Miller Family
12:45-1:15 Sheep Sheering
1:30- 2:00 Hoedowning, By the Miller Family
2:15-2:45 Sheep Sheering
3:00-3:30 Hoedowning, By the Miller Family
3:30-4:00 Sheep Sheering
4:30-5:00 Hoedowning, By the Miller Family

Hoedown Stage, Evenings
7/1 – 5:30-7:45 – Boulevard Express
7/2 – 5:30-7:45 – Cat Elwell & Saucony Grass
7/3 – 5:00-5:45 – Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
7/4 – 5:00-5:45 – Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
7/5 – 5:00-5:45 – Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
7/6 – 5:00-5:45 – Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
7/7 – 5:00-5:45 – Mountain Folk Duo
7/7 – 6:00-7:45 – Folk Dance Competition w/ Miller Family Square Dancers, Celtic Martins, and M.C. ,Eastside Dave Kline
7/8 – 5:30-7:45 – Grexin
7/9, 5:00-5:45 – Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase

Festival Commons (Central Loop)
Daily – Noah’s World Animal Petting Zoo
Daily – Antique Engines – Sonan Farm Museum
Daily – Farm Demonstrations – Sonan Farm Museum
Daily – Pony Rides
7/4, 11:30am – Festival 4th of July Parade

Daily – Kutztown University’s PA German Cultural Heritage Center– Hex Sign/Barn Stars, Pow Wowing Artifacts, One-Room School House.
School House – Daily
11:30 – 12:00, One room school house experience presented by school marms,
Darlene Moyer & Gwenn Davis.
12:00 – 12:30, Fraktur class/presentation by Schwenfelder Museum & Library.
1:00 – 1:30, One room school house experience presented by school marms,
Darlene Moyer & Gwenn Davis.
2:00 – 2:30, “PA Dutch” Dialect class with Keith Brintzenhoff.

Union Church – Daily
12:00-5:00 Hymn Singing/Organ by Theresia Grim
2:00-2:30 Union Church Traditions by Rev,Dr. Harry Serio

The Gallows
11:30- 12:00 Hanging of Suzanna Cox. (July 4th at 12:30)
1:00-1:45 Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
2:30-3:00 Hanging of Suzanne Cox
3:30-4:15 Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
4:30-5:00 Hanging of Suzanna Cox
7/6, & 7/7 Bob & Mimi Koerner, Magical Flute Duo
2:00pm & 5:00pm

Evenings 5:30pm – 7:30pm
7/1 Acoustic Roadshow – Local Musical Showcase
7/2 Butter Queen
7/7 The Well Bottomers
7/8 The Kickbacks


Festival Hours
July 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 9th: 10 am to 6 pm
July 1st, 2nd, 7th and 8th:  10 am to 8 pm

Festival Tickets
Adult: $14.00
Senior (55 & older): $13.00
Students (13-17): $5.00
Children (12 & Under): FREE
Weekly Pass: $24.00 
Parking: Free
About the Kutztown Folk Festival
The Kutztown Folk Festival is the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America. The nine-day festival draws visitors from all over the world, entertaining families while providing insight and understanding of the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their fascinating way of life. The Kutztown Folk Festival features a wide variety of Pennsylvania Dutch food; over 200 nationally recognized, juried folk artists and traditional American craftsmen; over 2,500 locally hand-made quilts on display and for sale; antiques and collectables; 6 stages of entertainment; music and dancing; and a wide range of children’s activities.