Road Trip: Kutztown Folk Festival

Looking for something to do during the Summer? The Kutztown Folk Festival makes for a great road trip. The festival, which celebrates the Pennsylvania Dutch culture, usually starts the last weekend in June and runs through the first week of July. It is the longest running folk festival in the US at 64 years. Crafts, food, music, and entertainment can all be found on the Kutztown Fairgrounds during the festival.

Barn Stars at the Kutztown Folk Festival


There are always quite a few vendors selling their handmade items. The Quilting Hall is amazing with 2,500 quilts available for purchase.

Quilts at the Kutztown Folk Festival

It's not just stuff for the girls. There are plenty of vintage pumps and engines to keep the guys happy.

Old Farm Equipment at the Kutztown Folk Festival

Old Farm Equipment at the Kutztown Folk Festival

Ben and David Sonon had their 1917 Peerless Traction Steam Engine on display. They are trying to raise funds to restore the beast.  It needs a lot of work but it would be fantastic to see it run again. I put a couple of bucks in the donation bucket.

Ben and David Sonon's 1917 Peerless Traction Steam Engine

Ben and David Sonon's 1917 Peerless Traction Steam Engine

Ben and David Sonon's 1917 Peerless Traction Steam Engine

There is also plenty of things for the kids to do as well. Even some of us big kids enjoy the petting zoo.

Petting Zoo at the Kutztown Folk Festival

Ducklings at the Kutztown Folk Festival

Baby Bunny at the Kutztown Folk Festival

And of course there is lots of good food to choose from.  If you go away hungry from the Kutztown Folk Festival it's your own fault! Some of the food items have neat origins. The Festival Bake Oven is a 50 year old outdoor stone bake oven where hearth baked breads are made. Just across the way from the oven was a 1944 International Harvester engine happily churning fresh ice cream.

Stone Oven at the Kutztown Folk Festival

Ice Cream Churns at the Kutztown Folk Festival

As the brochure says, "Kutztown Folk Festival is Affordable Family Fun!"