Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA, May 15, 2024 – Earlier this year, ArtsQuest announced the return of SoccerFest 2024: Copa America Watch Parties presented by Wind Creek Bethlehem that will take place this June and July on the Air Products Town Square at the ArtsQuest campus. Up next, the arts-based non-profit organization, in partnership with Lehigh Valley United, is formally announcing youth clinics and a 3v3 tournament for kids to have fun while improving their soccer skills during this year’s SoccerFest. With the help from partners like supporting sponsor, Discover Lehigh Valley, and official equipment vendor, Kwik Goal, ArtsQuest hopes to assist in the development of young athletes in our community at this year’s SoccerFest.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA)-sanctioned tournament will take place on the PNC Plaza on Monday, July 1 at 1 p.m. To participate in the tournament, teams can register at SteelStacks.org and click on the registration link. Registration will close at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 24th. Bracket groupings include U9/U10 Boys, U9/U10 Girls, U11/U12 Boys and U11/U12 Girls.

Want some practice prior to the big game? Soccer clinics will take place on Sunday, June 23 starting at 1:30 p.m. on the Air Products Town Square. We have teamed up with Special Olympics to provide Clinic 1, a Special Olympics Kids Soccer Clinic. Kids with intellectual disabilities will have the opportunity to practice their soccer skills with drills and techniques hosted by Team Lehigh and Team Bethlehem Special Olympics. Perfect your goalkeeping skills in Clinic 2 with DOMINATE the 18 Youth Goalkeeping Clinic and switch over to dribbling, shooting and passing techniques in Clinic 3 with Lehigh Valley United, Moravian Academy and Perfect Touch Soccer. Register for clinics at SteelStacks.org.

Clinic 1: Special Olympics Kids Soccer Clinic

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Special Olympics is a global moment that unleashes the human spirit every day around the world through sports and fitness empowering people of all ages with intellectual disabilities. Kids ages 6-12 with intellectual disabilities are welcome to join us for a skills and drills clinic hosted by Team Lehigh and Team Bethlehem Special Olympics. Kids will experience the thrill of learning to pass, dribble and shoot soccer balls as they maneuver through our fun stations.

Clinic 2: DOMINATE the 18 Youth Goalkeeping Clinic
3-4 p.m. (Check-in by 2:45 p.m.)

In partnership with ArtsQuest, Coach Bob Pipech and staff from DOMINATE the 18 Goalkeeper and Soccer Training will be hosting a FREE goalkeeping clinic for players ages 7 to 11. This clinic is for all young goalkeepers, whether you have been playing goalkeeper for a couple of seasons, an experienced young goalkeeper, or a new goalkeeper interested in the position.

The clinic will teach goalkeepers about the basics of the position. Fun games will be incorporated in the second half of the session to promote retention and skill development. Goalkeepers will also be shown drills that they can do at home to promote repetition, improve dexterity and coordination and the essential basics of being a goalkeeper.

Clinic 3: Youth Soccer Skills Clinic

4:15 – 5:45 p.m.

Kids ages 6-12 are invited to join Lehigh Valley United, along with coaches from Lehigh University, Moravian Academy and Perfect Touch Soccer as they teach several different drills and games! Lehigh Valley Health Network will also be running a station based on sports performance. Dribbling, shooting, passing and other techniques will be covered as your child goes station to station. Parents will be welcome to take photos and even participate. Parents do not need to register, please only register children who will participate. Children of all skill levels are welcome.

Please email Sr. Director of Programming, Ryan Hill, at rhill@artsquest.org with any questions related to the tournament or soccer clinics.

During Copa América, (June 20 to July 14, 2024), each of the US Men’s National Team Group Stage games will be shown on a jumbo screen on the Levitt Pavilion lawn. We will have food trucks, beverage service and fun soccer activities throughout the festival. Don’t forget to join us on Levitt Lawn and the Town Square for ¡Sabor! Latin Music Festival performances by Herencia Jibara and DJ Breezzy on June 27!

Copa América Viewing Schedule:

June 23 – USA vs. Bolivia / Uruguay vs. Panama

June 27 – Panama vs. USA / Uruguay vs. Bolivia (¡Sabor! Latin Music Festival)

July 1 – Bolivia vs. Panama / USA vs. Uruguay

Join us in the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas inside the ArtsQuest Center at 7 p.m. on June 30 for a screening of Copa 71. Enjoy the cool air inside the cinemas while continuing the celebration that is taking place all around the campus.

The U.S. is the only non-CONMEBOL (Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol) country to host Copa América, having hosted the event in 2016. The U.S. will be hosting it again this year in what is anticipated to be the “defining soccer tournament” for the Western Hemisphere.

“Bethlehem’s Hispanic population has increased by 21% over the last decade, comprising about 29% of the city’s population,” commented Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer. “With the sport of soccer being so prevalent throughout our Latin-based communities, we are excited to present SoccerFest 2024, and are always looking to provide programming that directly identifies with our communities.”

About ArtsQuest 

ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

Information provided to TVL by:
Bryn Keeney