LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Lancaster County celebrated a unique piece of American history Saturday as the city marked its one-day stint as the nation’s capital in 1777.
The Second Continental Congress met in Lancaster on Sept. 27, 1777, after British troops occupied Philadelphia. The delegates were in Lancaster for one day and later moved on to York.
The celebration was cut short because of rain, forcing vendors and attendees to pack up earlier than expected.
Vipul Araya, owner of Bala Sahas Indian Food Truck from Hershey, said he was disappointed to leave early.
“It was a little bit disappointing and frustrating, but like I said, that’s the nature of the business, and we kind of take the bad with the good,” Araya said.
Crews clean up after the Lancaster Capital Day celebration was cut short due to rain in the area. (WHP)
Araya said he prepared a decent amount of food for the event, but had some product left over after the weather forced him to close.
“I did prepare a decent amount of chicken, but I do have a little bit of product left over that I will have to get rid of,” Araya said.
He said the weather also affected his sales.
“I would say about this time for that event, I would be like 100-some sales deep,” Araya said.
Araya said he came to the event to share his culture and food, including a lamb and rice dish based on his mother’s recipe.
“We had a lamb dish, like a rice and lamb dish, that we were really hoping to sell. That was part of our special,” he said.
Despite the early end to the celebration, Araya said he hopes to return to Lancaster next year and continue sharing his traditional foods with the community.
Dining and Cooking