Oct. 2, 2025
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
A lot of beer will be sold at Oktoberfest, ArtsQuest’s annual event in Bethlehem this weekend and next.
Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan and ArtsQuest, parent company of Musikfest, are working together to make people aware of the dangers of driving under the influence.
Impaired driving cases have been rising, according to a statement from Holihan.
Here’s the statement from the District Attorney, along with comments from ArtsQuest.
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
LEHIGH COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Gavin P. Holihan
District Attorney
Oct. 2, 2025
The Lehigh County District Attorney Office will host a DUI Awareness Campaign at ArtsQuest’s annual Oktoberfest with the goal to educate and spread awareness of the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.
This non-profit/government partnership is a new addition to the 15th annual Oktoberfest activities that drew an estimated 48,000 people last year –where attendees come for food, brews, crafts and retailers over two weekends in October.
In Lehigh County, impaired driving cases have been on the rise in the past several years. These are cases that involve both drugs and alcohol, and sometimes both.
- 2020: 1,235
- 2021: 1,385
- 2022: 1,512
- 2023: 1,466
- 2024: 1,751
Members of the District Attorney’s Office DUI Unit (including attorneys and staff) are teaming up with Lehigh County’s Adult Probation and Parole Department to create an interactive information booth. The exhibit will have giveaways and activities that highlight the importance of moderation, the dangers of drunk driving, and the legal consequences of driving impaired.
A limited number of visitors who engage with the educational elements of the booth may be eligible to receive an Uber voucher for a safe ride home from Oktoberfest. Across the U.S., ridesharing measures have been associated with an 11.4% decrease in alcohol-involved fatal crashes.
https://www.lyft.com/impact/dui-reductions
“We truly appreciate the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office for stepping up to provide Uber rides during Oktoberfest.” said Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer. “This provision helps ensure our community can celebrate safely, while also giving everyone a convenient and responsible way to get home. It’s about looking out for one another and making sure everyone can enjoy the festival responsibly.”
The members of the DA’s Office and the Probation and Parole Department will be at Oktoberfest on Oct. 3 and 4, as well as Oct. 10 and 11.
Oktoberfest is presented by Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), located at SteelStacks and will run Oct. 3 through Oct. 5 and Oct. 10 to Oct. 12.
For more information on Oktoberfest, visit https://www.steelstacks.org/festivals/oktoberfest/
Lehigh Valley News Briefs 