The Oyster Picnic: A Timeless Tradition

Since 1877, under Rev. Augustus Dechant, Old Goshenhoppen Reformed Church has hosted its Oyster Picnic on the first Saturday after Labor Day, initially to fund the Sunday School and later to support mission works and Christian charities. Oysters—a rare treat in landlocked Pennsylvania—arrived from Chesapeake Bay in iced barrels via the Reading Railroad, served raw, fried, or stewed in the church’s grove. The picnic became a regional draw, with special trains from Norristown and Philadelphia bringing thousands to Upper Salford. By the early 1900s, it was a community cornerstone, marked by events like a 1915 ring dance sparking lifelong romances, a 1924 flirtation leading to 161 descendants, and a 1928 biplane landing in a nearby field, delighting attendees. The menu grew to include roasted peanuts, ice cream, and Pennsylvania Dutch treats like shoofly pie, with children enjoying penny candy and games. For a few years in the early 2000s, horse-and-wagon rides circled the property, though one year Cressman’s horse escaped and galloped through the cemetery, adding to picnic lore.

Over the decades, the Oyster Picnic evolved while preserving its heart. By the 1950s, Sunday School children marched to the grove to sing, and families served stews together. The 1980s introduced funnel cakes and bratwurst, and Pastor Bill Gaydos added oysters on the half shell in the 1990s, attracting new crowds with fresh bivalves. The old bandstand, a cinderblock dugout with a concrete platform and deteriorating underground walls, was demolished in spring 2002 after bands refused to play without a roof due to past rainouts. The current band shell, completed for that fall’s picnic, now shelters bluegrass performances. Despite challenges—like a 2019 tornado felling historic oaks or a 2020 pandemic—the community rebuilt pavilions and adapted traditions. Today, the picnic blends history with modern flavors like smoked salmon sandwiches and birch beer floats, alongside Gemeinhaus tours. More than a fundraiser, it unites generations through faith, fellowship, and shared stories, from early love stories to enduring community spirit, making it a cherished celebration.