Press photos by Tami QuigleyTwo thumbs up for Musikfest: “It’s the best time of the year!” Jack Wagner, right, says Aug. 8 as he enjoys the fest with high school friend Hunter Sarmento by the New Jersey-based O’Lobster Food Truck of Harvest Specialty Catering at Handwerkplatz. Wagner, of Bethlehem, an alum of Moravian University, invited Sarmento, of Downingtown, to enjoy his first fest. “Musikfest is a great show of community in Bethlehem and its history, with the platzes a testament to its German heritage. I’ll definitely be back,” Sarmento said.

Donny Petridis, one of the owners of Theo’s Gyros – a Musikfest staple since the festival’s debut – shaves meat for their signature dish at their Main Street locale. Theo’s also has a stand at Plaza Tropical. “Life is good. We have a good following of customers who come back each year, and we’re grateful they do,” Petridis said, adding customers have thanked him for keeping prices the same this year. Petridis’ parents opened Theo’s as a small place on Broad Street over 40 years ago. Today, he and his sister Martha Mihalopoulos, run Theo’s year-round at the Quakertown Farmers Market, where it has been for 38 years.

“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about” Maurico Ramirez’s gesture seems to say as Yianni Kyzridis, owner of Pat’s Pizza and Bistro, displays one of Pat’s yummy signature pizzas fresh out of the oven. Pat’s marks its fifth year of serving up pizza, appetizers and pasta at Festplatz. “We serve about 400 to 500 pizzas a day,” Kyzridis said. Pat’s opened at 1426 W. Broad St. in November 2017. For more information visit patsbethlehem.com/.

Michael Figueroa serves a hungry customer at Hungry Hound Express, the Moravian University food truck which marked its third year at the fest. “We’ve been busy,” Figueroa said at the truck’s Main Street location. Figueroa was helped by Jack Bullington in dishing up smash burgers that afternoon. Both work for Moravian University Dining Services, in conjunction with Sodexo. Text MUFOODTRUCK to 82257 for text updates on where the Hungry Hound will roll to next.

Anne Lukas of Allentown serves a beverage to a thirsty fester while Jennifer Brown taps one at Liederplatz. Both love volunteering at Musikfest. “I enjoy meeting new people from different walks of life and helping them with information to navigate the festival,” Lukas, a volunteer for six years who celebrated reaching 1,000 hours of volunteering that day, said. “This is a well-organized volunteer organization. The volunteer management is excellent,” Brown, a volunteer for 13 years, said, “and I get to hear free music!” Brown also volunteers at Musikfest Café, Oktoberfest and Christkindlmarkt.

Johnny Schafer, general manager of the Lehigh Valley-based Milk Train, takes a customer’s order at Handwerkplatz during Milk Train’s first year at Musikfest. Why did the train make tracks to Musikfest this year? “Because it’s where it’s at!” Schafer said. “It’s where everyone comes together to feast, or fest, as they say.” Milk Train serves ice cream, coffee and shakes, and is known for its popular waffle cone cookie dough bowls. “We’re busy nonstop from the moment I get here until I leave,” Schafer, who has been in the business for 21 years and with Milk Train for two years, said. For more information visit facebook.com/p/Milk-Train-61575896495424/.

Petridis, Zugeila and Gabriel Burgos watch Nicole prepare one of Theo’s tasty gyros for a customer. Petridis’ father was asked to participate when Musikfest launched in 1984, and the rest is history.

Fest-goers of all ages enjoy an afternoon at Liederplatz.

Customers enjoy a cool treat at Milk Train on a steamy afternoon.

Festers check out the variety of smash burger options and more at Hungry Hound Express.