Patch Picks: 5 Free Things at Musikfest

About a million people come through the city of Bethlehem over the 10-day stretch of Musikfest, a fact that is not lost on both large corporations and local companies alike.

This is a great opportunity to get their products and services in front of you, or even just remind you they exist, meaning there are a number of places at the festival where you can pick up some fun and useful free goodies.

So, keep an eye out. In addition to these five known opportunities below, we're sure there may be a few others.

The Official Musikfest program guide

This slick, thick, glossy booklet has absolutely everything about Musikfest all in one handy place. They're all over the place, but they're so good-looking and often found with paid items, that you might miss the fact that it's free.

But you really should grab one—it will not only help make certain you make the best of your time at the 'fest, it's a pretty nifty free souvenir, and it fits in your pocket.

You'll find them at most Musikfest information, food ticket and souvenir stands.

Play the latest PlayStation games

The PlayStation Experience is back at the festival, offering 20 gaming stations loaded with the latest new and unreleased titles. This venue has the tendency to get busy, so expect to wait in line at peak times. Serious gamers might want to go early or on weekday afternoons to get the most gaming time in with the least rush.

The PlayStation Experience trailer is located at Festplatz, near the overpass bridge.

Free beer

Yes, really. Well, samples, anyway. But it's really good beer, and it's free, so by definition the whole deal is rather wonderful. Stop by more than once at various times to try three different varieties of their craft brews during the 'fest. If a taste isn't enough, Fegley's Brew Works will be offering deals and giveaways on featured beer purchases during the samplings.

Fegley's Brew Works, 569 Main St., Bethlehem. 610-882-1300

• Fegley’s Brew Works Blueberry Belch, just named Philly’s Best Summer Beer at the Philadelphia Summer Ale Festival: Thursday, 4 - 10 p.m.
• Fegley’s Brew Works Triple IPA, Hop’Solutely. An 11 percent ABV brew, named “Beer of the Year” and a “Top Ten Beer” at Philly Beer Week: Friday, - 4 - 7 p.m.
• The 2011 release of Devious Imperial Pumpkin Ale: Saturday, 4p.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, 4 p.m. -7 p.m.

Other Free Samples

All around the festival there are numerous opportunities to try various goodies. Keep an eye open for that telltale sign “FREE SAMPLES” and you'll have some delicious surprises around many a corner in practically every platz. Some we've seen include salsa, ices and ice cream, and imported English toffee, to mention a very few of the many that are out there.

Also at the fest on a sporadic basis are corporate samples and giveaways handed out by roving company representatives and in various tents, like those of the . These folks tend to appear at peak festival times, like evenings and weekends, but there's no set schedule for these, so it's best to keep your eyes open for handouts while you wander the fest.

Free toothbrushes and toothpaste

The Sensodyne Dental Health Spa is set up in Volksplatz, which is a pretty nice thing, after all the eating and drinking you'll do at the 'fest. There's some educational bits, but all you have to do is stop in and say 'hi' and the rocking, dancing Sensodyne folks will happily hand you off some oral hygiene goodies gratis, including toothbrushes and toothpaste. There's also a washing/toothbrushing station at the site, if you'd like to do the deed immediately.