While music takes center stage at Musikfest – which sailed into its 42nd year in 2025 – the delicious food and dedicated volunteers play a vital role in keeping Musikfest’s great vibe going strong.

And local food vendors never miss a beat in offering delectable festing fare.

“I love it, it’s an awesome festival,” Donny Petridis, one of the owners of Theo’s Gyros, said as he was shaving meat for their signature dish at Theo’s stand on Main Street Aug. 2. “In my opinion, it’s one of the best events.”

Petridis said his parents opened Theo’s as a small place on Broad Street over 40 years ago. Today, he and his sister Martha run Theo’s year round at the Quakertown Farmers Market, where it has been for 37 years.

Theo’s has been a staple at Musikfest from the beginning, when Petridis’ father was asked to participate when the festival launched.

Theo’s also had a stand at Plaza Tropical, and is a vendor at Celtic Classic as well.

“I like Musikfest, it’s one of the best festivals around in the Lehigh Valley,” Gabriel Burgos said as he made tasty gyros at Theo’s. “We’re happy to be here every single year,” Burgos said, noting Theo’s has quite a following at the fest.

This year marked the fourth that Pat’s Pizza and Bistro, which opened at 1426 W. Broad St. in November 2017, was a Musikfest vendor.

“It’s been very busy – we had our best starting Friday ever,” owner Yianni Kyzridis said while dishing up some delicious meatballs.

“I love the weather – I wake up every morning thinking it’s going to be a great day,” Kyzridis said, alluding to the rain that often showered last year’s Musikfest.

Joining Kyzridis in working that sunny afternoon were Mallory, part-time manager at Pat’s on Broad Street; and Meghan, who worked at Pat’s for the fest in high school and continues to now in her first year at Virginia Tech.

“It’s always fun to work down here in the Christmas City,” Mallory said.

Meghan agreed. “I like the environment – the customers and coworkers are really nice and welcoming. The shifts go by quickly.”

Pat’s festing fare includes pizza, pastas and appetizers.

The Northampton-based local food truck Slide On By is in its third season at Musikfest this year.

“Musikfest has such a great vibe, we love being part of it, and the weather is a blessing compared to last year,” Nick Loukas, who owns Slide On By with wife Erika, said as customers checked out the food truck’s offerings at Martin Guitar Handwerkplatz. “And the people are great.”

Slide On By has been in business since 2021, starting as a pop-up then getting a trailer-food truck, all the while serving up yummy smash burger sliders and gourmet hot dogs. Everything is made fresh to order, and all sauces are homemade. Loukas said they use all local ingredients when they can.

Slide On By’s slogan is “We don’t do a lot, but we do it well!”

“It’s very simplified, “Loukas said. “We believe in it.”

Slide On By also participates in events at The Wooden Match, including their annual St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bash, and the annual PA Bacon Fest in Easton.

Volunteers also help Musikfest keep hitting a high note year after year, including those manning the beer tent at the Sun Inn Courtyard, like Rick and Patti Rohrbach, who live nearby and have been volunteering for 10 to 12 years.

Patti Rohrbach enjoys having conversations with people who come from all over to enjoy the fest.

“Everybody is so nice and everyone’s happy,” Rohrbach said.

“Musikfest runs a lot on volunteers,” she said. “We try to do our part – we’ve enjoyed Musikfest almost from the beginning.”

Fellow volunteer Katie Powers shared that sentiment. “We love Bethlehem and this festival is in our backyard. We love supporting it in many different ways, including volunteering.”

“I’m a big Musikfester. I love summer and love volunteering when I can,” Tammy Everett said after tapping a beer for a fest-goer.

“It’s always good to volunteer and give back.”