Wheelbarrow Matches
A popular form of gambling in the Old Dutch Country was the Wheelbarrow Match. Each participant would pay a fee, usually 10˘ or 15˘, to co[m]pete.
A post was planted in a field about 100 yards from the starting point. Each contestant takes his turn to push a wheelbarrow to the post & the one who gets closest to the post wins. There is one catch. The contestants are blindfolded. Then, while clutching the wheelbarrow, he is led around in a circle several times. The biggest problem is keeping the observers quiet.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 40° 31.073′ N, 75° 46.997′ W. Marker is in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. Marker is on the Kutztown Fairgrounds, home of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Wentz Street, Kutztown PA 19530, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Quilting Lore (here, next to this marker); The Conestoga Wagon (here, next to this marker); The Bush Meeting (within shouting distance of this marker); Thanksgiving & Harvest Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Cider (within shouting distance of this marker); The Plain Dutch
this page online
Regarding Wheelbarrow Matches. Excerpt from "Today... and Yesterday" by The Morning Call
Also see . . .
1. The Pennsylvania German Society. (Submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Kutztown Folk Festival. (Submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 185 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
