This Saturday is Sinterklaas Festival Day in Rhinebeck
Last Saturday, I mentioned the arrival of Sinterklaas, and this Saturday, December 1, the streets of Rhinebeck will be filled with the holiday merriment of Sinterklaas Festival Day. I love this festival for a zillion reasons, and I strongly recommend that you attend with your family. I will say that you cannot make it to everything – it’s just not designed that way – so you should check the website for all of the places and times of the myriad events in case there are certain activities in which you’re especially interested. There are a lot of exciting sounds, activities, people and energy everywhere within a few blocks’ radius.
Allow plenty of time for parking. There will be lots of inside/outside/inside transitions, so dress in layers. Bring snacks or some cash to spend at the many local eateries. I know that I mention a lot of different street names here, but in reality, they’re all within a couple of blocks of each other.
Here are a few highlights: Arrive early for the day’s festivities, score a great parking spot and see how your teddy bear rates at the 10:30 a.m. Bear Beauty Contest at Samuel’s, located at 42 East Market Street. At 12 noon at the Beekman Arms, catch some great storytelling by Jonathan Kruk, followed by a special performance of St. George and the Dragon. Beekman Arms also hosts the puppet theatre shows running all afternoon from 1:30 through 4 p.m. Beekman Arms is located at 6387 Mill Street in Rhinebeck.
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus performs shows all afternoon from 12 noon through 4 p.m. at Upstate Films, located at 6415 Montgomery Street in Rhinebeck. Magic, music and dance will be happening over at Town Hall, 80 East Market Street, including Dog on Fleas performing at 1 p.m. Looking for more storytelling? Head over to Cordes Hall at the Dutch Reformed Church for a variety of storytelling shows from 1 through 5 p.m., located at 6368 Mill Street in Rhinebeck. Catch the Cappella Festiva Treble youth choir performing at 3 p.m. in the Church sanctuary.
Crafting, you say? Jenny Lee Fowler leads a Reindeer Puppet Workshop from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Wing and Clover on the second floor at 22 East Market Street. And that’s just some of the activities happening indoors! Now, here’s the big finish: The Havdalah candle-lighting takes place in the Dapson-Chestney parking lot, two blocks west of the traffic light, at 5:30 p.m.
Then, it’s parade time, so bring your branches, crowns and stars. Kids are encouraged to wear what they created in the Sinterklaas craft workshops or at home. The last workshop takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Festival Day at the firehouse, located at 76 East Market Street in Rhinebeck. Decorated crowns are a sign of the children being a queen or king for the day, and their festooned branches represent creative power, held like a royal scepter. Adults are invited to purchase the special Sinterklaas star at any number of stores in Rhinebeck and to carry it in the parade. At 6 p.m., the Children’s Starlight Parade begins on West Market Street and proceeds to the municipal lot for the community circle. At 6:30 p.m., all gather for the Grand Finale Circle and the Children’s Star Ceremony, where you will honor children with your personal star.
I am also excited about the fire juggling. But you don’t have to go home after this – join in on the 7 p.m. family hoedown at Town Hall. For more information, visit www.sinterklaashudsonvalley.com. See you there!
Join the family! 
