The 16th annual Oktoberfest at the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks in Bethlehem drew its highest attended Saturday in the festival’s history. About 52,500 guests and 190 volunteers took part over two weekends. The event was presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE).
Guests found German food, local artisans, live traditional and rock music, and four biergartens serving 38 varieties of lagers, ales, and IPAs for the 21 and older crowd. Fan favorites included the dachshund races, the stein-holding competitions, and Fliplehem, the festival’s flip cup game.
A new Oktoberfest Arena on the Levitt Lawn gave spectators a better view of the dachshund action. There were 8 races with 116 puppy participants, and the parades featured hundreds of dogs dressed in lederhosen and dirndls. The Yuengling Oktoberfest 5k, held with Run Lehigh Valley, had 1,162 participants.
Fliplehem welcomed 16 teams. PBurg Squad won the first weekend, and CharDee MacDennis took the second. In the Pennsylvania State Stein Hoisting Championship, 16 women and 11 men competed, and Jill Matthews and Jim Thompson won the women’s and men’s titles.
Forty-four bands played over the two weekends, along with 24 Schuhplattler dance performances by three groups: GTV Almrausch, GTEV D’Lustigen and Almrausch Altoona. Polkadelphia, Rock Steady, Schützengiggles Oompah Band, the Stefanie Johnson Band and Grammy-winning duo ARKAI were among the fan favorites. Karl Ehmer Quality Meats was a crowd favorite among the food vendors, which also included Heidi’s Strudel, Bacon on a Stick, Humpty’s Dumplings and Dinky’s Ice Cream.
New this year was the Oktoberfest Bourbon Tasting, led by certified Bourbon Steward Matthew Peters with Levy Restaurants. Forty-six attendees sampled eight bourbons, mostly cask strength, paired with bites from Levy Restaurants Executive Chef Julie Marble. The third annual Yuengling Beer Dinner drew 70 guests for four beers and a four-course menu.
“This year’s festival delivered some incredible milestones, including our highest attended Saturday in Oktoberfest history,” said Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest. She said the success reflects the enthusiasm of festivalgoers and the dedication of volunteers, vendors, performers and partners. ArtsQuest plans to expand the festival’s footprint in 2027 with the addition of the Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop.
Thomas R. Stoudt, executive director of ABE, said the airport will continue to support the free event. “Delivering an event of this scale takes months of planning and incredible coordination,” said Eric Bauder, ArtsQuest director of event operations. He thanked staff, volunteers, vendors, and community partners for their work and flexibility.