It was like stepping back in time at the Old Fashioned Community Picnic organized and hosted by the Polk Township Veterans Memorial Commission.

Chair Joan McKinsey said that it took a year to put Sunday’s picnic together and that the reenactors were her favorite part of the event, which was moved indoors from the park to the township fire company due to the weather.

Special for the 250th anniversary was having people dressed up in Colonial-era costumes, including as George and Martha Washington. Also in costume were 4-year-old Sarah and 6-year-old Elizabeth Strohl.

Elizabeth, asked why she was dressed up, replied, “For the fashion picnic.”

The Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drum Corps, started 18 months ago, thrilled the crowd as members marched through in authentic costumes while playing their instruments or carrying arms or flags.

“We have 45 events for the 250th anniversary of our country,” said member Ryan Cengeri, who was carrying a rifle. “We are always recruiting members. Anyone (who) is young and 14 can just carry a rifle or a flag or learn to play. We are 50 strong, and anyone interested can go to brandywinecolonials.org.”

The unveiling of the Polk Township Keystone was also held at the picnic. Artist Linda Stockman-Connors incorporated 12 items pertaining to the township in the artwork, including a red-tailed hawk, black bear, President James Polk (1845-1849), Polk Township High School (circa 1912), “Whitey” the piebald deer and the Jonas Hotel/Valor Clinic Foundation.

Stockman-Connors has been painting since she was a teen, and picked up local history books to decide what to feature on the keystone, which took about two months to finish.

Keystones from municipalities are part of Monroe County’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Staying with the old-fashioned theme, a cake walk was organized by the Eldred Township Historical Society. Donated pastries were set up on a table. For 25 cents people could join in walking around the table while a spinner was spun. Whoever it stopped on won the dessert the other side of the spinner landed on.

Micah Staples, 18, the Pennsylvania 4-H ambassador for environmental science, manned a table with his mom, Vicky. Micah explained the projects that he helps with include forestry, wildlife and a current stream study. He was available to answer questions and encourage involvement in 4-H.

Serfass Farms in Kunkletown brought goats and cows for everyone to enjoy. And food was available at the firehouse kitchen.

The Growing Place, day care centers with three locations that was started by Salem-St. Paul Church 50 years ago, offered kids an opportunity to play in the sand and “fish” in a small swimming pool.

The picnic was an opportunity to feel like you were stepping back in time, enjoying the simpler life and being thankful to be an American.