Pennsylvania festival, oldest folklife festival in U.S., will not return in 2025

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (WHTM) -- The oldest continuously operated folklife festival in the United States will not return next year.

The Kutztown Folk Festival announced Wednesday that, due to "mounting financial challenges," the event will not be held in 2025.

“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 festival, held annually at the Kutztown Fairgrounds in the East Penn Valley of Berks County, provided insight and understanding of the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their way of life.

“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.” 

According to a press release, the festival, which was first held in 1940, had lost $347,000 since 2022 and had a budget of $1 Million in 2024.

All vendors will be refunded.

Though the festival will not return, Kutztown University's Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center still provides opportunities to celebrate the Pennsylvania Dutch culture.