Heather Zimmerman is still new in her executive director role with the Kutztown Folk Festival, a world-renowned event that draws 100,000 visitors over nine days. She is ready to honor this traditional celebration of PA Dutch culture while leading changes for a new generation of attendees.
Why did you decide to take on this role with the Folk Festival? I grew up in Berks County, and I graduated from Kutztown University (KU), so I heard about the Festival my entire life. Although KU is right across the street from the Festival, I didn’t attend as a student, but I attended after graduation. I then worked in hotel sales and operations for 30 years, and we often partnered with the Festival in some way. When the executive director role opened up, I felt my hospitality experience prepared me for it, and I was up for a new career challenge.
You started in June 2021 when the Folk Festival was in its second virtual year due to the pandemic. What was that like? It was interesting. I started at the end of June, so the virtual Festival was almost over. But I was here in time to get our Fall Fest off the ground, and this was good practice for the larger Festival. We plan to continue Fall Fest, and we have some new things coming to the Folk Festival this year. Right now, I’m really looking forward to my first Folk Festival experience and seeing everything come together.
Can you tell me more about Fall Fest and your new Festival programming? Fall Fest is a day-long event in town with various vendors, entertainers, artisans and fun and educational events. We also have a Farm-to-Table dinner in the fall, which is provided by Kutztown’s Rodale Institute. During the Folk Festival this summer, we’re adding a “home sweet homegrown” dinner on the field after the Festival closes for the day; this will be provided by Kutztown’s Hive restaurant. We’re also adding a farm fresh market on the Festival grounds to offer different types of food to attendees.
What’s the farthest anyone has traveled to attend the Folk Festival? We can confirm we’ve had guests from as far away as Germany. In fact, one of our entertainers, Dr. Michael Werner, is from the part of Germany where many Pennsylvania Dutch families came from.
It sounds like planning the Festival is a lot of work, especially since you have a small staff. How do you relax when you have some downtime? Yes, it keeps us busy. Other than myself, there are two regular staff members who work year-round. We hire additional Festival staff closer to the event. But when I get to relax, I like to spend time with family and friends, read, take walks and do home projects.
Learn More.
National coverage. The Kutztown Folk Festival has been covered in national news outlets like USA Today and The Washington Post.
Dutch or German? “Pennsylvania Dutch” is used to refer to local Pennsylvania German heritage because, when German immigrants settled in the area, “Dutch” was a blanket term used for German citizens.
