Kutztown in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Wheelbarrow Matches

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

1. Wheelbarrow Matches Marker

Inscription.

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. It can be reached from Wentz Street. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. It is

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also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

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 (within shouting distance of this marker); New Year's Day Lore (within shouting distance of this marker); The Candlemaker (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kutztown.

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 Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Wheelbarrow Matches Marker and Other Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

2. Wheelbarrow Matches Marker and Other Markers

(Submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 11, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.