The Celebration of America's 250th birthday continued at the annual Goschenhoppen Folk Festival. The event took place at the Antes Plantation in Perkiomenville.

Trades people, craftsmen, and volunteers participate in the Grand Fantastical Parade at the Goschenhoppen Folk Fest- iva parade.

            The theme of this year's festival was "Feier Amerikaas Unabhaengigskeit" or "Celebrate American Independence." The historians and volunteers reenact the years of 1776 and 1876, spanning both the 18th and 19th centuries of history.

            For the settlers living in the 18th century, the War for Independence had begun in April of 1775. On August 23, 1775, King George III asserted that the American colonies had become rebellious and needed to be reined in by the crown.

            Pennsylvania had already been authorized to become part of the Continental Army. It was formed by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, to orchestrate the military defense of the 13 colonies against the British. General George Washington was the commander-in-chief for the entire span of the American Revolution.

Carol Traveny uses a "great wheel" to turn wool into yarn at a display on spinning.	Patrick Donmoyer paints an 18th century date board similar to those in the Goschenhoppen region.

            As we gaze upon our nation's flag, an unwavering symbol of freedom, we should reflect upon the material that was utilized to construct such a banner of rebellion and independence. 

Fred Fonseca, of the 1st PA Regiment, right, leads Chris  Cruise and Grayson Pasquarello in the manual drill and firing sequence of a Revolutionary War era musket.

            Wool and flax were the primary materials for making textiles. Wool was spun on an outdoor walking wheel during the summer, and flax was processed during the winter months indoors. Processing wool and flax was a laborious but extremely necessary task. In fact, the main spindle assembly was packed as a necessary item when colonists crossed the Atlantic Ocean. The wheel would then be constructed when they arrived and settled.

            Jennifer Odenwald grew up learning the ways of the German settlers. Her grandfather, Elanzo Sinclair, and grandmother, Lib Sinclair, were the start of the Goschenhoppen Historians.

"They really had the heart of the area," said Jennifer.

            Jennifer and Jackie Jacobs have been volunteering for over 20 years. They educate visitors on spinning wool. They both have experience in processing flax as well. Jackie began in Revolutionary enactments. She was a cook for the regiments. She was introduced to the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival by Jack Armstrong.

            "Goschenhoppen is a region. We really show what it was like," said Jennifer. She explained that everything you see at the grounds is from written knowledge, "reported at the time." The information is from journals, diaries or printed materials and can be proven to be factual.

            In addition to textile making, the festival had an incredible amount of interesting history to offer. Lory Curtis is a volunteer who teaches about food and medicine gardens. She explained that at that time, saffron was not an exotic spice, but a pantry staple. Every home garden grew saffron and Lancaster was a major exporter of the plant to Europe.

Barbara Esterly represented the famous Mountain Mary and recounted the heroine's life to visitors.

            The Goschenhoppen Festival was the perfect summer event to continue the celebration of America's birthday. In our current world that is filled with distractions and abundant conveniences, it is important to remember the souls that bravely fought for our freedom. The ordinary people who took up arms and formed rebel armies against the English Crown.

            If you didn't attend this year's event, definitely visit next year. It is a wonderful way to walk down the road of our country's history.