Each summer
in Goschenhoppen -
(say that 5x fast)
- there is a folk festival
celebrating one of the oldest German communities in America.
These German communities in Pennsylvania
are referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch,
which is bizarre because they aren't Dutch,
they're German.
The Pennsylvania Dutch
developed their own dialect similar to the German language,
but it's not German.
This dialect is still very prevalent
in the Pennsylvania Dutch communities today.
The Festival is a time of practicing trades and home skills
of the 18th and 19th centuries
and the passing of such knowledge
to the younger generations.
It is encouraging to see how many younger people
take an avid interest in learning these old skills.
For spectators like me...
Well, I am Thankful for my modern day conveniences.
But I sure appreciate the ingenuity and hard work
of the people who did without today's luxuries.
318 Colonial Road
Perkiomenville, PA 18074
occurs the 2nd Saturday every August
and the Friday before.
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All images by Rebecca Haegele have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Click on any image to go to its gallery for purchasing information.
