ArtsQuest hopes to bring its popular SoccerFest back to Bethlehem for this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup, the organization announced Monday.

The organization's FIFA World Cup SoccerFest and Viewing Party drew more than 52,000 people last summer, and ArtsQuest also announced on Monday that the festival has won an international award.

The International Festivals & Events Association has named ArtsQuest's SoccerFest as one of its best new events for 2014 with budgets under $250,000.

ArtsQuest has to obtain FIFA's permission to be an official Women's World Cup viewing location, which it is working on, ArtsQuest Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Partnerships Curt Mosel said.

"The passion of the region's soccer fans, the event's diverse programming and the unique atmosphere at SteelStacks make this former industrial site an exciting location for cheering on the U.S. National Team during its quest for the cup," he said in a statement.

The SoccerFest's planning committee's goal is to show the U.S. Women's National Team's preliminary stage games June 8 versus Australia, June 12 versus Sweden and June 16 versus Nigeria on the outdoor television screens at SteelStacks. The event also will include a variety of soccer-related programs especially geared toward girls ages 10-15.

The festival also is expected to include a celebration for the 100th anniversary of the Bethlehem Steel Football Club's first U.S. Open Cup win, which took place in May 1915.

SoccerFest planning committee members will be attending the National Soccer Coaches Association of America annual convention in Philadelphia later this week to help garner support for a 2015 SoccerFest. The association is an event partner, along with Discover Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley United and Spark.

Lynn Olanoff can be reached at lolanoff@express-times.com. Follow her on Twitter @LynnOlanoff. Find Bethlehem news on Facebook.