Harmony’s Silvester Celebration links two worlds
Each year, Harmony’s Silvester Celebration on New Year’s Eve brings a taste of Germany to the historic borough.
And with its ball-drop and fireworks coinciding with midnight in Germany — 6 p.m. in Harmony — the traditional celebration very literally bridges the Continental Divide, according to Rodney Gasch, president of Historic Harmony.
As proof, he shared a story told by one of the historical society’s local members about a previous Silvester Celebration.
“She had a relative in Leipzig, Germany, and they had been trying to talk over the holidays, but it wasn’t until 5:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve that they were able to connect,” he said. “So they were chatting and all of a sudden, in one ear, she heard the fireworks booming in Leipzig and, in the other ear, the fireworks going on in Harmony — all celebrating New Year’s on German time.”
But the connection between the borough and Germany is deeper than just timing, Gasch said, with the event bringing the region’s heritage to the forefront.
“The original Harmonists came from Germany, and they were here for 10 years,” he said. “And the people who followed in the Harmonists’ footsteps, who bought the land, they were German-speaking Mennonites from eastern Pennsylvania.”
In recognition of that heritage, the borough’s Silvester Celebration — or Saint Silvester’s Day — rings in the New Year with a variety of German traditions.
Organizer Susie Altemus, chairwoman of the parks and recreation board, said the celebration would begin at 3 p.m. with a “Christmas tree toss” contest.
“You pick up a tree and give it as far a throw as you possibly can — it’s a German tradition,” she said.
For children, there is a wreath-throwing contest.
At 3:30 p.m., Altemus said the borough would also host a 5K Run and Walk, followed by a 1-Mile Fun Run at 4:15 p.m.
“There’s face-painting for kids,” she said. “And all of the shops will be open, selling stuff.”
Shops will be open early too, according to Altemus, with some featuring year-end surprises throughout the town.
“The Harmony firemen will have food outside — brats and German food,” she said. “And that will be a fundraiser for the firemen.”
In addition to live music and outdoor food vendors, Gasch said Historic Harmony would also sponsor a variety of activities and offerings at the celebration.
“It’s a tradition that a pork and sauerkraut dinner brings good luck for the future year, so we serve a pork and sauerkraut dinner on New Year’s Eve,” he said.
The dinner will be first come, first served inside the Harmony Museum’s Stewart Hall from 3 to 6:15 p.m., costing $18 per meal. Hot German mulled wine — or Gluhwein — will be also be available behind the museum’s shop.
“And there’s a German tradition of watching this short comedy movie called ‘Dinner for One,’” Gasch said with a laugh.
The movie, he said, was about 15 minutes long and would be played with subtitles in the museum’s wine cellar.
“So a lot of people — when they’re not throwing their Christmas trees — will wander into our cellar, and it’ll be running continuously,” he said. “It’s a very simple plot, so you don’t have to see it from the very beginning to enjoy the humor.”
And just before 6 p.m., Altemus said the town would gather to watch the ball drop, counting down backward in German.
“And then we sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and there’s fireworks,” she said.
With the borough celebrating annually for 17 years, Altemus said she anticipated “thousands” of visitors for the celebration
“It’s a very family-oriented day, because there’s activities for the whole family — and, well, it’s over early,” she said with a laugh. “It’s really become a family tradition.”
