Musikfest is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. While I have performed at Musikfest several times before (this was my sixth performance here), I had never really experienced the festival itself in all its glory until now. Like many performers, I usually arrive the day of my show, report to the venue for my load-in and sound check/rehearsal, get dressed and ready, perform….and then leave for the next gig. This time my husband and I arrived the night before my engagement so that I could appear on WDIY Radio, Bethlehem, PA’s NPR affiliate, to talk about my upcoming book and Musikfest.

Wow, what I had been missing! My Musikfest concerts are held indoors as part of the “Vespers Series”, but much of the festival is outside. As Larry and I wandered the grounds, we realized we were among throngs of festival-goers. We both got caught up in the festival culture, and enjoyed on-the-spot cooked food, took in the sights and sounds and bought souvenirs, my favorite of which is this year’s Musikfest poster featuring an owl with headphones. There are craft vendors galore with all kinds of interesting wares. I bought our daughter a tye-died dress made of bamboo from a vendor who told me how he makes the clothing. We listened to Peter Frampton, a cover band called Marla & The Juniper Street Band who seemed to know every song there was to know, and caught several busker acts. There was jazz, polka, blues, rock, classical…the air was electric. Musikfest runs through August 11th and the schedule is posted at fest.org