What the duck is Goose Day?
That’s the thought that occurred to me (though not exactly in those words), when I first heard of the annual September celebration in and around Lewistown.
The local tradition of eating goose on St. Michaelmas Day has been observed in the Juniata River Valley for more than two centuries, carried here bya British sailor, said Rhonda Moore, administrative assistant for the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“It all started in 1786 when a Pennsylvania Dutchman named Andrew Pontius moved his family to this area,” she said. “His farm did well so he needed help. Pontius met a young Englishman named Archibald Hunter. Hunter had jumped a British ship docked in Philadelphia. Impressed with the young man, Pontius offered Hunter a job, and he accepted.”
Hunter requested their accounts be settled each year on the traditional English day to do so, Sept. 29. On that date, Hunter appeared at Pontius’s door with the contract under one arm and a goose under the other. He explained to Pontius that, in England, eating goose on the Festival of St. Michaelmas day, the patron saint of soldiers and protectors, would bring good luck.
From that day on, the legend grew, and, by the 1970s, both the Mifflin and Juniata County commissioners had issued proclamations establishing Goose Day as an official county holiday.
“The tradition that, if you eat goose on St. Michaelmas Day you will never want for good luck all the year round, continues to this day,” Moore said. “Many in our community adhere faithfully to it and eat goose everySept. 29, thus hoping to ensure wealth and prosperity for the coming year.”
Each year, the Chamber of Commerce hosts the Goose Day Expo, one of the celebration’s key events. This year, it will take place at the Brookmere Winery from 5 to 8 p.m.
“There will be wine, goose treats, and a number of our members will be showcasing their wares,” said Moore. “From goose pinwheels to blackberry thumb print cookies and apple cider, the menu highlights many of the connections the Goose Day legend makes to food.”
In addition, many businesses in the area have Goose Day specials, while restaurants prepare unique dishes.
Taste of the Valley, a Belleville coffee shop that specializes in paninis, developed two Goose Day options. Reuben’s Goose includes sauerkraut with cherries and Swiss cheese on rye, and Rachel’s Goose is topped with creamy coleslaw and Swiss cheese on rye.
“It was fun developing new panini recipes just for Goose Day,” said Daphne Marthouse, store manager. “And last year’s response encouraged us to serve them again this year. But we’re purists and will only serve goose on Goose Day!”
Other activities start the weekend before the actual day.
For instance, Stained Glass Glory, a night of illuminated beauty in downtown Lewistown hosted by the Juniata River Valley Visitor’s Bureau, takes place on Friday, Sept. 25. On Saturday, the Goose Day 5K Race, hosted by the Juniata Valley Striders, kicks off at 9 a.m. in Monument Square in Lewistown.
“The Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau is once again promoting a weekend of events to celebrate Goose Day,” Project Director Jenny Landis said. “We’ll have contests, programs, festivals, races, concerts and fun during the entire five days of the celebration.”
After the race, the Goose Day Fun Fest starts in Monument Square. The festival features a variety of free things for kids to do, including a flying goose game, soccer skills practice, coloring, costume characters and a bit of interactive history from the McCoy House Museum. There will even be a life-sized Candy Land game and complimentary hot dogs, chips, ice cream and popcorn.
Sunday’s highlight is the Goose Day Road Rally, in which participants receive clues on how to reach a specific goal with their cars.
“Whoever takes the longest time to complete the rally is awarded the Wayward Goose Award,” said Visitors Bureau President Jim Tunall. “Don’t let that happen to you!”
Team Trivia, sponsored by the Mifflin County Historical Society & Burnham Lions Club, will be held at 2 pm. Trivia topics will be based on general knowledge, not local history. There will be cash prizes, door prizes and a food stand.
“Be sure to check our website for specific times as well as other events,” Landis said. “We expect to continually be adding events for the celebration.”
IF YOU GO
The Goose Day celebration will take place in Lewistown and the surrounding area Sept. 25 to Sept. 29. For more information, visit www.juniatarivervalley.orgor call 717-248-6713.
Don Helin published his first thriller, “Thy Kingdom Come,” in 2009. His novel, “Devil’s Den,” was selected as a finalist in the 2013 Indie Book Awards. His latest thriller, “Secret Assault,” was selected as the best Suspense/Thriller at the 2015 Indie Book Awards. Contact Don on his website, www.donhelin.com.
