October Volunteer Update 

There is finally a chill in the air, and as the fall season hits its crescendo I look forward to closing out 2023 with even more successful events! With Musikfest, Levitt, and Sangriafest all in the rearview mirror, we have a moment to reflect on a jam-packed summer and make improvements for next time.

October was big for a number of reasons. First, of course, was the newest edition of Oktoberfest! This year we were hit hard with a few rainy days, but even that could not stop another fun year of dachshunds, brats, and beer. For the first time in years, we welcomed several new groups to our fall event. A huge shoutout and thanks to Shift4, Lehigh University Student Senate, Target, Bethlehem Marine Corps, and Wind Creek for joining us to pour beer for the masses! We added a volunteer break area where volunteers could grab drinks and have a seat away from the craziness while on break. We heard a lot of great feedback on that and will look to include it in other programs moving forward. 150 volunteers helped make Oktoberfest 2023 a reality, and we couldn’t have done it without each one of you.

We hosted our first ever Ambassador Mixer just before the second weekend of Oktoberfest. Being an ArtsQuest Ambassador means that you are dedicated to volunteering throughout the year and want to support not only the ArtsQuest mission, but also your fellow volunteers. It was great to get together and have some fun in the fall. This idea came directly from the Volunteer Committee, which works tirelessly to make sure our volunteer program is as rewarding as possible. Always remember that the Committee is there to hear your feedback and new ideas. The Ambassador program is going to undergo some changes during 2024, so we are not currently seeking applications at this time. However, if you are interested in growing in the program as an Ambassador, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re keeping a list of folks who want to move forward and can’t wait to welcome you aboard in the future.

As we head into November, Christkindlmarkt is obviously on the horizon. Our annual holiday market is so much fun, but it’s also a lot of work! Where Musikfest is a mad dash, CKM is a bit more of a marathon with five weekends of seasonal fun on deck. If you haven’t signed up for any shifts yet, please consider joining us in ushering in the 2023 holiday season!

Thank you for everything that you do,

Cory Stevens
Volunteer Program Manager