Times sure have changed since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but the committee staging Allemaengel 250 wanted to recreate American history as closely as possible.

Under the bluest of skies, costumed community members wove through an encampment of tents outside of the Kempton Community Center where they chatted with local residents and answered questions.

The actual reading of the Declaration of Independence was a pivotal point that attracted all visitors, compelling them into a reverent silence as Joshua Fink and Ed Quinter read the document, both in German and in English.

Members of the community were cued to reading the grievances at the end of the document.

In the mouths of local residents, the document became a poignant reminder of America’s founding values despite its formal style and archaic language.

The grievances were levied at King George III, in the spring of 1776 when Thomas Jefferson was chosen to list complaints against him and establish the reasons for colonial independence.

“Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter it or abolish it and to institute a new government,” Jefferson wrote.

Amid shouts of “Huzzah, huzzah,” the reading ended, followed by musket fire and a fife and drum rendition of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”

The afternoon activities were by no means over with the reading.

In one corner of the field, musicians assembled, preparing to play.

“Most of us are Brandywine High School graduates,” said drum captain Steve Meitzler. “We had a fife and drum corps.”

Meitzler reconstituted the group after attending a Halloween parade, “I got sad, nostalgic and impulsive so I called up a couple of alumnae and organized a reunion. I just wanted to get the band together.”

Around 30 musicians regularly get together.

As the country continues to celebrate its history, the fife and drum corps’ calendar is jammed packed.

Another corner was relegated to the militia.

As children approached, Fred Fonseca was happy to offer insight into the ways of the past.

“I want to make sure that the kids have a good time,” he said. “Maybe they’ll even learn something.”

That was exactly what middle school teacher Pam Peters had in mind.

“Immersive learning is what makes this special,” she said.

“[Students] are able to connect more easily with history rather than learning about it from a screen. They can become more empathic with the plight of the colonists.”

“It’s difficult to make connections to our local history, but this brings it to life,” Peters continued.

“Average people are often forgotten but without the contributions of the average citizen, we would never have secured the freedoms we take for granted,” she said.

This was not lost on many of the youngsters participating in the event.

“We’re celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary and we’re celebrating 250 years of being free,” said eight grader Aidin Breidinger, who was dressed in colonial garb.

He was one of the many Northwestern students assuming various tasks for the event at Peter’s bequest.

“I’m here to teach people about colonial board games and also have some fun,” Gabriel Dupont said.

“Our eighth grade teacher Mrs. Peters told us about this in class, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do,” Preston Bailey said, “plus, I needed hours for Boy Scouts.”

“I’ve been doing Applefest for four years and when Mrs. Peters asked me to do this, I couldn’t pass up the offer,” Baylin Gillenberger said, who has since moved to the high school.

Displays inside the Kempton Community Center invited visitors to delve deeper into the nation’s early history.

Benjamin Franklin addressed the crowd with witticism and commentary.

Colonial costumes were available to those who wanted to step back in time and take photos.

Print outs of family trees were available to those who wanted to trace their own family’s history.

Visitors could purchase tickets for a basket raffle.

Hawk Mountain displays reminded visitors of the natural environment surrounding the Allemaengel region.

“Boundaries aside, there can be no dispute of the historic significance of our committee’s namesake [Allemaengel 250] as a celebration of the German speaking communities who settled in the area in colonial times and their distinct contributions to our nation’s founding,” wrote Ann Wertman and David Hunsicker, Jr. of the Allemaengel 250 committee.

Allemaengel 250 was a collaboration that included the Lynn Heidelberg, Weisenberg Lowhill and the Albany Township historical societies.

The event was free to the public.