Goshenhoppen Festival

You just have to love the name. It just kind of rolls off the tongue and sounds so Pennsylvania Dutch. We spent a beautiful day walking around the Antes Plantation (about a twenty minute drive from Barto) enjoying life in the 1700's and 1800's. They were not the good old days. People worked hard and long for everything, and used everything they had. We don't know what recycling is, compared to our ancestors.

We arrived around lunch time so immediately went to the food barn. She had a piece of corn pie, I a sausage sandwich, and we both drank home made birch beer. As we walked the site lots of samples were offered, including some candy made from potatoes and sugar. We saw elderberries, faschnachts, shoo-fly pies and ways to make sauerkraut.

The first article in the Festival Guide is the 'Authentic Butchering' demonstration. "All Meat used, Nothing wasted." We didn't stay to see 18th century pig butchering, but did see the pig, poor guy. (My choice would have been the turkey, but probably not as interesting for the show.)

Craftsmanship was superb, tinsmith, gunsmith, wheelwright, carpentry, linens & needlework, and the practical things made from corn husks and straw. All of the craftsman were courteous, helpful and informative.

It was a wonderful afternoon.