Musikfest 2011 Vol 3, Nov 25

August 5-14, 2011 marks the 27^th annual Bethlehem Musikfest celebration. Ten days in August filled to the brim with music, food, and fun in downtown Bethlehem. Sounds pretty awesome; doesn’t it? Some of you are probably wondering how you are going to get there? May we suggest that you take the bus and avoid the hassle of traffic and the cost of parking, if you are even able to find a spot? LANta offers “Fest” services to accommodate just about everyone.

This year the venue has expanded encompassing 10 sites on the North side and five on the South side of the City. The traditional music of Musikfest will be experienced on the City’s North side and there will be plenty of great, free music and food throughout Bethlehem’s historic district.

Musikfest almost doubled the Loop ridership in August 2010 and is expected to have a growth increase this year. In an effort to accommodate this higher ridership, additional service will be added to The LOOP to transport fest patrons between the two venues during this event. Three types of bus service provided by LANta will be available to festival goers.

1. Walk ‘n’ Ride Shuttle. Special bus service on four different routes between at 6:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. is available to deliver you safely to and from Musikfest.

· East Hills – Leaving Bethlehem Square / Giant Store, traveling S on Linden , L on East Blvd, L on Lewis, R on Clemont (bus shelter) R on Easton Ave, R on Elizabeth Ave, L on New, R on North, L on Guetter . Return to East Hills via New St. and the regular route to East Hills. Buses will operate this route every day between 6:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M., providing service every 20 minutes.

· Westgate Mall – From Westgate Mall / Bon Ton traveling S on Schoenersville Rd., turn R on 8^th Ave., L on Union Blvd., R on Main, L on North, and R on Guetter. Return via Guetter, R on Broad, R on Main, and ending up at the corner of Broad and Guetter, via its regular routing. Buses will operate every day between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M., providing service every 30 minutes.

· Route 33 Park N Ride – 33 Park ‘N Ride lot, pickup bus at the parking lot shelter, return to Wm. Penn Hwy, turn R, continue to Easton and Elizabeth Aves., L on New to Guetter. Return to New, St. Elizabeth Ave., Easton Ave., Wm. Penn Hwy, then to bus shelter inside Rt. 33 Park ‘N Ride lot. Buses will operate everyday between 6:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M., with service provided every 20 minutes.

· Hellertown – From Creekside Shopping Ctr. in Hellertown, via Main St., via Hellertown Rd., Daly Ave. (turns into 3^rd St.) westbound, R onto Founders Way, L on 2nd St. drop passengers at NCC stop on 2^nd, L on Polk, R on Columbia (2^nd St.), merge L onto New St. Bridge, cross bridge, circle around City Hall, L on Church St., R on New St., L on North St., L on Guetter. From B&G: L on Broad St., R on New St. circle around Library, cross New St. Bridge, merge R onto 2^nd St. off ramp, R on 2^nd (Columbia), L on Polk, R on 2^nd, drop passengers at NCC, R on Founders Way, L on 3^rd / Daly Ave, Hellertown Rd., Main to Creekside Shopping Ctr. Buses will operate every day between 6:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M., service will be provided every 30 minutes.

2. Regular Service. LANtaBus will continue regular service allowing access to the Broad and Guetter Street transfer center located on the outskirts of Musikfest (and also to the Sands Casino and the South side venue location of SteelStacks). Riders will be able to exit the bus and stroll leisurely through the festivities and then take the LOOP route to the other side of the City to continue their Musikfest experience.

3. The LOOP. This is the third year that the LOOP shuttle is in existence and will provide added service frequency. The LOOP shuttle will run its regularly scheduled stops, as well as an additional stretch that will stop at the Sands Casino, the South side venue location of SteelStacks, and the corner of Conestoga and Lehigh Streets every 15 minutes between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday. This service will also connect the North and South side of Musikfest so that fair goers are able to experience the entire event. The major stops on the South side will be the Sands, NCC, and 2nd street connecting to the North side via the New Street Bridge to Broad and Guetter.

There is no admission to Musikfest and a daily LANta bus pass costs $3.00 and entitles you to unlimited rides for the entire day. You’ll be hard pressed to find another outing of this caliber at this price.