Where you grow up has a big impact on your outlook for the rest of your life, and small town childhoods are some of the most memorialized in Americana culture. Though you may move from your home town into a bigger city or even a different state or country, you’ll always carry pieces of your beginnings with you. Here are some of the coolest things about a childhood in small town Pennsylvania. See if you agree with them.

1. You never had to be alone, because chances are you knew most (if not all) of your neighbors. And you never got lost on your town's streets.
Nicholas A. Tonelli/ Flickr
2. Your familiar hang-outs followed you through your childhood and young adult years, so returning to them even today brings back warm memories.
Marnie Vaughan/ Flickr
3. You were surrounded by people who were old friends, and now that you've grown up, you have a handful of lifelong friends to call your own.
Rodrigo Paredes/ Flickr
4. You and your friends were talented at finding ways to stay entertained. For example, you might have spent a lot of time at the local mall.
Bekah/ Flickr
5. Everyone went to fun community events, such as county fairs. Nothing beats that funnel cake.
nadja robot/ Flickr

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6. Getting the first day of hunting season off from school was definitely a worthwhile bonus, whether or not you liked to hunt.
Steve Kennedy/ Flickr
7. Pot lucks were the be-all, end-all of social events. You left feeling stuffed after trying everyone's delicious dishes.
Brad Knabel/ Flickr
8. You are all too familiar with the Chicken Dance, in which you partook at many events and gatherings.
Jacob Haas/ Flickr
9. High school football games were THE PLACE to be on Friday nights.
Brad Knabel/ Flickr
10. Taking road trips was always a fun way to change up your surroundings and see more of the state.
Tony Webster/ Flickr
11. You knew you had an entire community at your back, and even if you've left your home town, you still share those strong roots.
Bill Dickinson/ Flickr

What else would you add? Share your thoughts below.

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