Register for the Student Apprentice Program June 1st through June 30th using the link below.  After submitting the form, check your inbox for the confirmation.  If you do not see it, check your "junk" or "spam" folders and add us to your contact list so you don't miss important communications.  Placement information will be emailed at the end of July.

Be sure to tell your friends about the program and invite your neighbors, friends, and family to come to the Festival to see you in action !!!

All children meeting the following apprentice program criteria must be registered through the Goschenhoppen Apprentice Program, including children of adult volunteers and/or who have participated in prior years:

• Children entering 6th (or higher) grade AND 11 years old or older
• Children entering 12th (or lower) grade AND 18 years old or younger (note: students 19 years old and up should enter thru the adult volunteer program.)

This helps to manage demonstration sizes and ensure apprentices are placed where needed. Children of festival volunteers will get preference to work at their parent’s demonstration, if desired and gender appropriate, i.e., apprentice aged boys cannot be in home skills. 

For more information about the program, email goschenhoppenapprentice@gmail.com.

We encourage adult volunteer to bring their own children with the understanding that all children meeting apprentice program criteria will be registered with the Goschenhoppen Apprentice Program and those who do not will be under their direct supervision. Children younger than 11 years old can register with their parents.

Bring your Friends and Family - it takes many hands to make Festival a huge success.

Setup, Cleanup, and Laundry - we need help with it all.

Join the Goschenhoppen family before and after Festival - it's fun.

Looking for a way to help?  Show up and ask for Andrew or George.

• We need many hands to make the work light! It takes HOURS of labor to clean and prep in the kitchen, unload and set up all the Festival equipment, and then take it all down and store it. Any amount of time you could spare to lend a hand is greatly appreciated! There is something to do for everyone! Join us at the Antes Plantation, 9am to dark, Monday-Thursday,, and 10am until we’re done, Sunday, August 10. Setup and cleanup continue rain or shine!

Information about the Monday events will be posted in the barn.

• On Monday, the fun continues when we do the laundry! All the borrowed costumes and all the linens are laundered and packed away. Your help would be greatly appreciated! Meet us at the Boyertown Speedwash at 9am Monday.

• Also on Monday the fun continues when we wash table clothes! All the table clothes used around the festival grounds are washed and hung to dry. Your help would be greatly appreciated! Meet us under the forebay of the barn at the Antes Plantation at 9am Monday.

• For more information about these ways to help, please send an email with your information to us at redmens_hall@goschenhoppen.org.

Why have a theme?

We have many repeat visitors, some have been coming to Festival for decades.  The theme keeps Festival fresh and interesting so they want to come back again and again.

Imagine what it was like before during and after the revolution or what it was like celebrating the first 100 years and help share those perspectives with our visitors.

As a nod to the 250th Anniversary celebration of our nation's Declaration of Independence in July 1776, we want to help give perspective to how that was impacting the people of the Goschenhoppen region. Volunteers can discuss this in a variety of ways.

Those in the 18th Century can discuss how this is new for them, how excited or nervous they may feel about this Declaration, or even if they are not sure what that means for them going forward. It could also mean that some of their family may soon be off to war and how that could impact the home front greatly. One could express concern also for “what if” if either British or American troops ever came to the area and quartered on their lands or had need of their food and livestock.

Those that portray life in the 19th Century can discuss how they are celebrating the Centennial of American Independence (100 years in 1876). Amazing how the new democratic republic has made it for those 100 years. One can talk about how the Industrial Revolution and an advance in technology has, for the most part, made their lives easier. Some discussion could also be made about how the American Republic was threatened by the Civil War and how that war affected their lives. Some special events will be happening during the stage programming to recognize this milestone for our country, so keep a watch for those to be announced. We will be sending some additional information closer to the festival time that will include some talking points and information that you can use to help put perspective on this topic.

Misplaced registration cards and expensive mailings are now a thing of the past!

Our first year of adult online registration has gone remarkably well and we have gotten lots of positive feedback from our Festival Volunteers.  The financial and time savings for Festival organizers has been significant allowing us to focus more on preparations for the much anticipated annual event.  We welcome your feedback and suggestions for next year.  redmens_hall@goschenhoppen.org

NEW REGISTRATION/ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS!!!

• Registration cards have NOT be provided to volunteers and will NOT be collected at Festival this year.
• You MUST still check in EACH DAY at the registration table at the Volunteers’ Entrance, located in the barn at the Antes Plantation. 
• At check in, you will verify your contact information. It is very important. Going forward, only ONLINE REGISTRATION will be offered to sign-up to volunteer at future festivals. You will only be contacted to signup if we correctly have your email on record.  If you do not have email access, talk to your Committee Chairperson so they know to contact you next Spring.
• After verifying your contact information, you will be given a meal ticket.
• Due to the number of walk-in people, no one will be admitted without advanced registration at this year’s Folk Festival. If you aren’t sure if you have been successfully registered, contact your Committee Chairperson AHEAD of Festival so they can make sure you are listed as a registered volunteer.
• Volunteers will still receive a complementary Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc. membership.
• Plan to arrive well before the gates open to the public to allow time for set up of your equipment and removal of your vehicle from the grounds. We close off Colonial Road at our property line about two hours before the Festival opens each day. This may make it difficult to access all the Festival grounds. Our hours are 12pm – 8pm on Friday and 10am – 6pm on Saturday.
• The volunteers’ parking lot is in the lower field within the chain-link fence. This is where volunteers must park. Do NOT Park in the visitor lot.
• Please be considerate when parking so that you do not park someone else in, i.e., no 3rd row in the volunteers’ lot! 
• When driving on the festival grounds there are many articles that are low and hard to see. In the past, we’ve had things damaged by vehicles. Please ask someone for assistance to prevent this.

Nothing ruins an amazing Festival photo like nail polish, cell phones, or other 21st century intrusions !!!!

If you do not have appropriate clothing scroll down to  "I don't have the clothing I need to participate - what do I do?"

Do your part to keep Festival authentic -

• Look in the mirror - check and double check - did you miss anything?
• If you notice someone who has missed something - kindly mention it or refer it to one of the festival coordinators.  It's surprisingly easy to forget a modern necklace, watch, etc.

COSTUMING/REQUIRED APPEARANCE

• By this time, your costuming needs should be taken care of.
• We want our Festival to look as authentic as possible. Please keep the following in mind:

• NO jewelry (except wedding bands), wristwatches, ankle bracelets, or earrings
• NO visible piercings
• NO make-up or nail polish
• NO unnatural hair color (e.g. blue, green, etc.) 
• NO sneakers, sandals, or open-toe shoes
• NO sunglasses
• NO styrofoam, plastic, or other modern containers visible to the public
• NO loose and dangling longhair
• NO untied caps (18th Century women)
• NO untucked shirts (all men)

• Changing rooms are in the barn, at the back. Still have nail polish on? Remover is available.
• A few extra costumes are available upon request if something gets ripped or torn. Please ask at the Volunteers’ Registration area for assistance.
• Borrowed dirty costumes and linens need to be returned and checked in at the barn Saturday night. Leave the washing to us! Remember, a replacement fee will be charged for missing items.

SUNDAY BARGAIN BONANZA

Sunday afternoon starting at 2pm, groceries, produce, baked goods, etc. (surplus from the Festival) will be available for purchase at cost or less to festival participants. Please use the entrance from the parking area into the Food Concession building since the butchering crew also works in the kitchen.

FREE LUNCH

The Historians are pleased to provide you one free meal ticket for each day at registration. Your meal ticket will have a set value of $12.50 for adults (16 and older) and $7.75 for youth (ages 4-15).  Meal tickets are not provided for ages 3 and under. Alternatively, volunteers can redeemed a meal ticket with the full set value remaining for a prefix option.  Adult tickets can be used for a “Festival Meal” (1 sandwich, 2 sides, 1 snack, and 1 drink) and youth tickets can be redeemed for 1 sandwich and 1 snack. Again, the ticket must be full value, i.e. you have not used a portion of the set value. Meal tickets may be used anytime during Festival hours and will be punched until its value is exhausted. Meal tickets may be used for individual portion food and beverages purchases throughout the grounds, excluding candy.

• Don’t forget the Grande Fantastical Parade at 3 o’clock each day! A member of your demonstration should arrive on Colonial Road near the Antes House at the sound of the gunshot with a symbolic item of your craft.
• Many of our demonstration areas contain and use irreplaceable and valuable antiques. Please handle with care! Keep small items away from the reach of the public.
• Coolers with water, iced tea, and lemonade are available behind the Food Concession building.

FIRST AID

• An ambulance will be parked either on Colonial Road near the entrance to the Plantation or near the main gate.
• A small first aid kit will be located at the back of the Food Concession building for volunteers.

* LOST & FOUND

Lost and found items should be taken to G.H. bookseller at the barn. Please direct the public there as needed.

• FESTIVAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
  • Do you need more background information about your craft? Do you know about the people who lived in the Goschenhoppen area in the 18th and 19th centuries? We count on you to educate the public about local Pennsylvania German folk practices. We have research on file available to help you! Call the Historians’ office, 215-234-8953, to make an appointment to check this out.

  * PA ACT 153 CLEARANCES

  New regulations are in place due to changes to Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law, PA Act 153. We believe that many of our volunteers may have gotten the clearances and background checks for occupational reasons and other activities. This would apply to teachers, public school employees, Boy and Girl Scout leaders, people involved with youth clubs, church groups, fire companies with junior firefighters, etc. We are noting in our records individuals involved with the festival, in any capacity, having the background checks and the certifications associated with the new laws. If you have PA Act 153 clearances, please send an email with your information to us at redmens_hall@goschenhoppen.org.

Ordering Food and Paper Supplies 

All demonstration leaders needing to order food supplies and paper goods should contact the Festival Purchasing Agent/Food Concessions committee.  They will work with you to get both the quality and quantity of supplies needed. All orders must be placed by June 14th. If you wish to bring and donate your own supplies, kindly make sure they are not also ordered.

Remember that the primary purpose of these supplies is to support the demonstration and provide samples, not servings. Supplies ordered are to be allocated for the duration of the festival. We do not restock demonstration supplies on Friday to support Saturday’s festival.

For all other supply needs, contact your Festival Committee Chairperson.

Selling at the Folk Festival 

Sale items must be relevant to your craft and time-period as well as something you could produce at the Festival if requested to do so. All for sale items must be pre-approved by your Committee Chairperson prior to the Festival and be listed on your online registration/green reply card. We ask for a 10% commission on gross sales, and our treasurer needs this information in advance. Please pay this commission before leaving the grounds Saturday after 6pm at the Festival Finance Office at the rear of the kitchen building.

Photo / Video Disclaimer

In this age of digital and social media, there are many people taking photographs and videos at the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival. We have no control over these photographers and videographers. As such, your participation in the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival constitutes your agreement to hold harmless and release and forever discharge Goschenhoppen Historians of responsibility and accountability related to photographs and videos taken at the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival.

Additionally, some photographers and videographers authorize the Goschenhoppen Historians permission to use photographs and video taken at the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival. As such, we must emphasize, your participation at the Goschenhoppen Historians Folk Festival constitutes:

• A granting of permission for the Goschenhoppen Historians Inc. to use your likeness in a photograph or video taken at the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival in any and all of its publications, including but not limited to all Goschenhoppen Historians’ printed and digital publications, for publicity, promotional, documentary, and educational purposes. 
• Acknowledgement that you will receive no financial compensation for the use of a photograph or video with your likeness. 
• Irrevocable authorization for the Goschenhoppen Historians to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute a photograph or video with your likeness for purposes of publicizing Goschenhoppen Historians’ programs or for any other lawful purpose. 
• A waiving of any right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written or electronic copy, wherein your likeness appears. 
• A waiving of any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photograph or video.
• Acknowledgement that you hold harmless and release and forever discharge Goschenhoppen Historians from all claims, demands, and causes of action which you or any other persons acting on your behalf have or may have by reason of this authorization.

We promote Festival in many creative ways but new visitors are most likely to attend if they hear about it from someone they know.

Invite your friends and family to Festival

Here are a few ways you can help spread the word -

• • Like us on Facebook and share our event. https://tinyurl.com/GHFF-55
  • Make it personal - include photos of you and your family at Festival.  Tell people about your demonstration and why you think Festival is special.
  • Add the Festival details to your school, community, or company events calendar.
  • Hang a Festival broadside in a high foot-traffic area, e.g. your local grocery store or pizza shop. 
  • Hand out a Festival bi-fold pamphlet to friends and co-workers or place in visitor center kiosks.

Broadsides and bi-folds pamphlets are available for pickup at the barn during Festival setup. Digital versions are also available to download at www.goschenhoppen.org by selecting Broadside & Bi-fold under the Folk Festival section.

No Worries -

If you are sure you are officially registered just go to the registration table in the barn as usual and they will have your demonstration information.

Note - if you are not sure if you are officially registered, see the next item on this menu "I'm not sure if I'm registered"

If you are not sure if we have received your online registration

• Look for an email around the end of July with the subject "Goschenhoppen Folk Festival - Volunteer Admission Instructions and Key Details". If you find this email, everything is good - read it carefully because there are many changes this year.
• If you do not find it in your Inbox look in your Junk or Spam folder and add redmens_hall@goschenhoppen.org to your contact list so you receive emails from us in the future.  Contact us immediately.
• If you are unable to find an email from us we may not be expecting you - contact us IMMEDIATELY.

Please contact us immediately so we can adjust the placement of our volunteers.

If you do not have your own period clothing and you missed all of the costuming dates you are welcome to arrive early and look for something appropriate that fits.

The Antes Plantation is located at 318 Colonial Road, Perkiomenville PA, 18074. You must enter Colonial Road from the end intersecting with Route 73 near Frederick Living in Upper Frederick Township, Montgomery County.  The festival grounds are not accessible when coming from the other end of Colonial Road due to event related road closures.

NON-FOOD SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

• You will find your requested equipment in your designated demonstration area.

• Some extra linens are available in the barn. Return all borrowed, dirty linens to the barn on Saturday evening. Please do not set very hot or sooty pots directly on the tablecloths and remember not to use knives directly on any tablecloths. Please use cutting boards instead. 

• Grounds crew volunteers will be around to assist you if you run low on water or firewood. Or if you prefer, there are several water hydrants located throughout the grounds to refill water cans yourself.

• After unpacking any equipment you received in boxes or plastic storage bins, take the boxes/bins to the barn to be stored until after the Festival is over. At the close of the Festival, please re-pack cleaned equipment (pack breakables carefully and cushion) and deliver it to the storage trailer behind the barn. No linens of any kind, matches, food, or cleaning products should be stored with your equipment.

• After the Festival is over, please do not put anything in the wood boxes.

• Straw bales are available to create playpens. Please notify your committee chairperson in advance if needed. Four straw bales will be provided. Please limit to 1 playpen per demonstration. Bales are for playpens ONLY, benches are for sitting on, and neither bales nor benches are for blocking public access to demonstrations. 

• As a COVID-19 safety measure, hand sanitizer will be available at all demonstrations and around the grounds. Please encourage demonstrators and the public to make use of the hand sanitizer.

* FOOD ITEMS FOR DEMONSTRATIONS

• ALL food items for cooking demonstrations and paper supplies are to be picked up at the back of the Food Concession building. Go to the double doors in the back where you will be assisted. Do not go into the storage room to help yourself.

• Do not send small children for supplies. The food can be heavy and hard to manage, and many children do not understand exactly what supplies they need.

• If you run out of something, see Monica at the Food Concession building on Friday evening. She will try to get what you need for Saturday. Be aware that some items will not be available.

• The PA Department of Health requires that ALL food be kept in appropriate containers a minimum of 6 inches off the ground. All prepared foods must be covered with cheesecloth, which we provide. All cold foods must be kept cold, and hot foods must be kept hot. Please help us keep everyone healthy!

• When cleaning up, use detergent in the wash water and bleach in the rinse water. We provide jars of these for you.

• Samples are meant to enhance visitor experience and aid in explaining your demonstration. Keep portions small so that more visitors may sample as demonstration food items are limited.

• As a COVID-19 safety measure, some food concessions and samples will be individually wrapped. Please work with your committee chairperson to understand if these changes impact you and implement them accordingly.