By Alyse Horn

After a great success last summer, the Deutschtown Music Festival will be coming back for a second year on Saturday, July 12.

Event Organizer Ben Soltesz said last year about 2,500 people attended the event throughout the day and night, and this year at least 10 more bands will be added to the lineup, bringing the band total to over 70 performers. Due to the growth of the event, there will be a second stage this year located in Allegheny Commons Park along Cedar and North Avenues that will have bands beginning to play at 10 a.m.

Soltesz said the daytime portion of the event is designed to be family friendly, and there will be a number of food trucks, the Spring Garden Flea Market and other activities throughout the day.

Foreland Street will be closed off again this year for a stage that will provide music from 4 to 8 p.m. After that time, the bands will move into different venues in the surrounding area and play until about 2 a.m.

Participating venues include James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy, Max’s Allegheny Tavern, Artists Image Resource, Bistro & Company, Park House, Penn Brewery, Verdettos, Allegheny Elks Lodge #339, Peanutz and Key West.

Throughout the day and night, a free shuttle with several stops in the Northside and Northshore will be available to festival goers.

In a press release, neighborhood advocate and festival co-founder Cody Walters said, “2,500 people discovered new music and our awesome neighborhood at last year’s festival. This year, we’re expecting double that number. We have more bands, more venues, more buzz. It’ll be a great time, guaranteed.”

Bands and other acts interested in performing at the festival can contact Walters at cody.fisher.walters@gmail.com. More information can also be found online at www.deutschtownmusicfestival.org or www.facebook.com/deutschtownmusicfestival.