The Kutztown Folk Festival

If you have the opportunity to be in central Pennsylvania in late June, be sure to check out the Kutztown Folk Festival. The festival is a wonderful assortment of old time crafts, incredible food, Pennsylvania German heritage and so much more.

Plan on spending the whole day at the fair and bring your appetite. Although you can have a hotdog or hamburger at the fair, I'm not sure why you would want one with so many other wonderful things to sample. The Ox roasting on the spit is always a huge attraction, and makes a delicious sandwich.

Then there are corncakes, eaten with syrup, a Lebanon bologna sandwich, pork schnitzel, chicken bot pie, potato cakes, fresh baked bread, cinnamon rolls, whoopee pies, shoo fly pie and a host of other local goodies to sample.

The craft displays are another huge attraction at the fair. The selection of fine crafts from some of the best crafters on the East coast, are a delight to explore. Everything from local paintings, fine furniture and household items are available for purchase. The quilting barn displays one of the largest selections of handmade quilts for sale.

The display is overwhelming and the staff is always available to unfold and show you any quilt you may be interested in. The top prize winning quilts are hung around the room and these quilts are sold at auction on the second Saturday of the show. The quilt auction draws a large crowd and it is great fun to see the prices for the favorite quilts rise higher and higher as the bidding progresses.

There are plenty of activities for the children, too. A petting zoo, pony rides and a carrousel pulled by horses are some of the highlights. Little ones are also able to make their own hand dipped candles.

Several stages provide music and dancing throughout the week. Lectures on local customs, a mock hanging and a mock wedding provide insight into lifestyle of the area.

The festival does a great job at providing easy parking, and many shaded areas to sit and rest. So, be sure to come and enjoy.