The Chainsmokers kick off Musikfest 2019's 11 days of music, food, fun
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WPVI) -- Musikfest kicked off the annual eleven-day festival with a preview concert Thursday night featuring Earth, Wind & Fire.
The festival officially opened at 5 p.m. Friday. The free event - except for musical acts on the main stage - draws crowds anywhere from 900,000 to 1.2 million people depending on the weather.
It is America's largest free-admission event.
The City of Bethlehem plays host to the festival in its 36th year. Action News is proud to continue as the media sponsor for the 15th year in a row.
Some travel as far as Naples, Florida to experience all Musikfest has to offer.
"My friend over here told me that this is number one music festival in the United States," said Nish Patel. "It's lived up to everything."
Four hundred artists from 27 states and five countries will perform on various stages. The Chainsmokers opened on the main stage on Friday.
In addition to the music and food vendors, there is an arcade this year and an art exhibit, "Prismatica," a traveling art installation composed of 50 pivoting prisms. Also, new this year, The Zinzenplatz will be the general locale for Prismatica and other featured acts.
Some have been here years prior like Halsey Patrick from Charlotte, North Carolina.
"This is my second time and it's awesome," she said.
It was the Lombardi sisters' first time. The trio was excited for Friday evening's headliner The Chainsmokers.
"It was my only birthday present, this is all I asked for," said Mia Lombardi.
Concerns over severe weather moving into the area pushed their performance up earlier than anticipated, but the show went on without a hitch.
Due to the heat, organizers do have plenty of areas with water and shade and medics on hand as well.
For more information, visit MusikFest.org
