Musikfest loaded with fun and games
As soon as James McKenna was strapped in, the fun began.
The 8-year-old from Long Island, New York, bounced as high as he could on the trampoline, doing flips in the air as he was harnessed to bungee cords. And as any big sister would, Colleen, 11, did her best to outdo him, jumping on the trampoline to try to get higher in the air.
“They love the games every year,” said their mom, Erin O’Sullivan. “That’s all they talked about on the ride here. The games. We come for the music, of course.”
On Thursday, the family was checking out all the fun at Musikfest’s Familienplatz. Musikfest, the 10-day festival devoted to music and more at two different areas in Bethlehem, wraps up Sunday.
Familienplatz, which is the Colonial Industrial Quarter on the north side of the festival, is where much of the fun and games for families can be found.
The bouncing isn’t limited to the trampolines. There are also two large bouncy houses and a zipline.
Along with the high-energy fun, children can explore their artistic sides at the Crayola Creativity Tent. On Thursday, the tent was packed with kids creating treasure maps.
Before the festival wraps up Sunday, here are some other suggestions on fun you can have:
The Musikfest Arcade,
based at Zinzenplatz at Main and Lehigh streets, is a gamer’s dream, with a collection of 20 arcade games from the past four decades. Here’s how it works: You buy a wristband for $10 (available for purchase at the Zinzenplatz Food & Beverage Ticket Booth). Then you can go in and try out classic games such as Eightball Deluxe, Nitro Ground Shaker and Monster Bash. The arcade is also a great opportunity to try pinball machines and multicades provided by Pinfest, one of the largest pinball shows in the country. (A multicade is an alternative to a single arcade game because it offers dozens of classic games all in one case.) Opens at 5 p.m.
Toss a hatchet:
Here’s a chance to take part in one of the hottest crazes sweeping the nation. Featured at Oktoberfest 2018, Axe Throwing Lumberjack Challenge is presented by Zip and Bounce and is open each day of the festival. Cost is $5 for 5 throws and $10 for 12 throws, payable in Musikfest Food & Beverage Tickets only.
History blended with fun:
Take the kids to learn about the history of crafting at the Colonial Industrial Quarter’s Luckenbach Mill. Children’s activities including making a pinch pot, weaving and tin punching. Families can also contribute to chalkboard mural or make musical instruments out of recycled materials. Noon to 6 p.m. through Sunday.
Before you miss your chance give those sparkling prisms at Prismatica a spin. The 6-foot tall glimmering prisms are this year’s festival spectacle and a must see. Prismatica, which is free, is on both sides of the festival — Americaplatz on the SouthSide and Zinzenplatz on the North Side.
Take a spin: Morning Call reporter Jennifer Sheehan can be reached at 610820-6628 or jsheehan@mcall.com