Carlos Santana kicks off 34th annual Musikfest Friday night

Saturday, August 5, 2017
VIDEO: Musikfest kicks off in Bethlehem
Watch the report from Jeff Chirico on Action News at 11 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2017.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Friday was opening night at Musikfest in Bethlehem, and it began with a superstar performer, not to mention a superstar introducer.

6abc's own Vernon Odom helped kick off the first night of Musikfest 2017, followed by the smooth sounds of Carlos Santana.

Now in its 34th year, Bethlehem's Musikfest has become an international attraction. More than 500 musical performances on 16 stages over 10 days.

On the south side, blast furnaces tower over the grounds - a reminder of this city's industrial past. The festival an example of its reinvention.

Doris and Mario Galante of Coopersburg have been coming since the first Musikfest in 1984 and won't miss a single day.

"We enjoy six nights, then we volunteer four of the ten days. So we give back a little to the community. It's an awesome experience," said Doris.

An experience expected to draw 900,000 people to this steel city turned music Mecca.

Watch the report from Vernon Odom on Action News at 4 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2017.

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