|
|
In chapter 4, I take up the issue of authenticity in each of the five festivals. Each of these events (with the notable exception of Edgerton’s Dutch Festival) has been concerned, almost since its inception, with maintaining an “authentic” atmosphere during the festival’s proceedings, and rhetoric of authenticity has been prevalent in each of these festivals. A concern with authenticity is evident in regards to elements such as folk dances, folk songs, food, architecture, and, especially, costumes worn by townspeople during each festival. Chapter 4 accordingly focuses on costumes as a case study for how authenticity has been understood by each of these communities over time. In examining the costuming practices in each community, three things become abundantly clear: First, several levels of authenticity, or different kinds of authenticity, are observable in each town’s costuming practices; second, what is regarded as an “authentic” costume in each community has changed over time, evolving from costumes that conformed to American expectations and stereotypes to costumes that have been meticulously researched for historical accuracy; and third, what counts as an authentic costume varies from town to town. The costumes described as “authentic” in Holland, for instance, differ, sometimes markedly, from the costumes described as “authentic” in Pella, and both of these differ from Orange City’s “authentic” costumes. This, in turn, points to a certain level of competition that exists between these various communities, not necessarily for actual audiences, but to stage the “best” or “most authentic” Dutch-American heritage celebration.
In chapter 5, I set authenticity aside and consider other narratives, stories, meanings, messages, images, representations, and lessons that each of these five festivals communicate to audiences (and townspeople) in a fairly overt manner. The first portion of the chapter looks at the various claims in press coverage and promotional materials from each festival for the various claims consistently advanced about what each festival means and the effects it has on its celebrants. I next consider the town tours offered during the Tulip festivals in Holland and Pella.