After much consideration and careful evaluation, the Board of Directors for the Kutztown Folk Festival has announced that its nine-day summer event will not be held in 2025. This decision comes as a result of mounting financial challenges that have made the event unsustainable.
“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, the oldest continuously operated folklife festival in America, provided insight and understanding of the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their fascinating way of life.
The Festival Board would like to express its gratitude to all who have supported the Kutztown Folk Festival.
“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,” said Richmond. “This decision to suspend operations was difficult. The Board wanted to announce now, so that our vendors and craftspeople have the opportunity to make alternate summer plans. We encourage our guests to continue to support Pennsylvania Dutch culture in the region.”
The Kutztown Folk Festival has been a cherished tradition since its establishment in 1950, serving as a cornerstone of Pennsylvania Dutch cultural celebration. Over its long history, the festival has become a vital event, showcasing the region’s rich folklife and traditions.
The mission of the Kutztown Folk Festival is to celebrate the unique folklife, living traditions, and arts of the Pennsylvania Dutch and the surrounding cultural region. Through high-quality food, entertainment, and educational experiences, the festival aims to engage audiences of all ages, offering a vibrant and immersive look at this distinctive heritage.
While the Kutztown Folk Festival is not directly affiliated with Kutztown University, it operates independently as a nonprofit organization under Kutztown Pennsylvania German Festival, Inc. However, the Kutztown University Foundation has provided financial support to the event over the years, highlighting the shared cultural and community ties between the two entities.
Operating such a large-scale event comes with significant costs, and the festival’s annual budget in 2024 reached $1,000,000. Unfortunately, financial challenges have emerged in recent years, with the festival incurring losses of $347,000 since 2022, underscoring the difficulties of maintaining this long-standing tradition.
Despite these challenges, festival organizers have assured vendors that they will be fully refunded for their deposits. This commitment reflects the dedication of the event’s leadership to supporting the community and fostering trust with its partners.
For those looking to celebrate and support Pennsylvania Dutch culture beyond the festival, there are many other opportunities in the region. Kutztown University’s Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center and the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen are two notable organizations that continue to preserve and promote the vibrant traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch community.