The Kutztown Folk Festival, a longstanding tradition in Berks County, Pennsylvania, will not take place in 2025. The festival's Board of Directors announced the cancellation on November 20, 2024, citing financial challenges that have made the event unsustainable.
The festival, which celebrated the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch and their way of life, has been a staple in the community since its inception in 1950. However, dwindling attendance, increased costs, and continued net losses have led to a difficult financial situation. The festival's annual budget in 2024 was $1 million, and since 2022, the event has lost $347,000.
Ed Richmond, vice president and chief financial officer of the Kutztown Pennsylvania German Festival, Inc., said, “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.”
Richmond expressed hope that a successor or successors would step up to reimagine the event and take on its operations moving forward. He also thanked all who have supported the Kutztown Folk Festival, including volunteers, staff, vendors, craftspeople, sponsors, and patrons.
Despite the cancellation of the 2025 festival, there are still many ways to celebrate the vibrant Pennsylvania Dutch culture in the region, such as Kutztown University’s Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center and the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen.