Pennsylvania Dutch Days was born of a sincere
desire to preserve the colorful arts and customs of the PA Germans, called
the PA Dutch. It was conceived by members of the PA Dutch Dialect
Class of the Hershey Evening School. The celebration started out
as a one-day outing for class members and friends on August 27, 1949.
From such simple beginnings, it grew by leaps and bounds and the celebration grew to four days in length to accommodate the increasingly large crowds. Over 160,000 people attended in 1955. New features are added yearly, but no admission is charged to attend. It is run by a group of volunteers, and Hershey Estates donates the use if the park, sports arena, and stadium facilities.
Milton S. Hershey, founder of Chocolate
Town , USA, died before the first Dutch Days observance. But his
ideals and vision live on today. He was a firm believer in the free
enterprise system.
Quilting Exhibits
Farm Implement Displays
Dairy Cattle Show
Dauphin County 4-H Exhibits
FFA Hog Show
Lotwaerrick (Apple Butter) Queen
State Poultry Queen
PA Poultry Exhibits
Seed guessing contests (How many lentils in the
bottle?)
Southern PA Purebred Goat Association Show
PA Farm Hay Exhibit
State-wide Chicken Bar-be-cue and other foods
for sale
Music by bands and orchestras, and organ music
Die Wunnernaus Variety Show
Outdoor Games for Everyone
Speakers
"Mer hoffa dir hen oll en goot tzeit kott un wella
eich
oll nochemol tzerick eilawda naegschd yohr.
Goot glick un Gott seim sayya"
Dei Deitsch Dawga Kummitte
We hope you have all had a good time and want
to invite all of you back once again next
year.
Good luck, and God's blessings.
Your PA Dutch Days Committee
Schpeel Tzeit Far Yayder Leit
playtime for all the folks
En Dausend Bentza Far Weck Gevva
a thousand pennies to give away
Baloon Schtomperei
ballon stomping
Sock Rayssa
bag races
Boi Fresserei
pie eating contest
Wossermaloon Fresserei
watermelon eating contest
Schpkarrich Fawra, Mit Awga Tzugebunna
wheelbarrow pushing, with eyes blindfolded
Weschschpell Schpeelerei
clothes pin tossing contest
Grundniss Aw Far Yayderebber
peanuts for everyone
Welcome To The Hershey Chocolate Plant
In 1956, visitors were welcome, Monday through Friday, to inspect the various departments of the huge Hershey Chocolate Corporation plant. Guided tours (lasting about 45 minutes) gave thousands of people each year a step-by-step look into the production and packaging of the many popular products of the Hershey corporation. Plus samples of the various chocolate products were given to visitors on the tour.
Herhey Park Offers Varied Amusement Facilities.
Hershey Park, founded in 1907, by Mr. Hershey, was said to offer amusement facilities to satisfy every taste in recreation. It even boasted the slogan: Summer Playground of Pennsylvania. In 1956, the park had 11 entertainment units, including:
There was dancing to famous orchestras of the
day in the spacious Park Ballroom every Saturday night. Free concerts
were presented twice daily in the Park Bandshell on Sundays and holidays.
The Park Swimming Pool, had three bathing units,
and was equipped with locker facilities for 4,000 people.
The Hershey Park Zoo was open every day except
Monday. It offered a Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife exhibit. And it was free.
HAERRLICH LEIT LAYWA EN HAERRLICH LAYWAS
© 1998-2001 JKH
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