Sinterklaas Festival Day in Rhinbeck, Dec. 6

  |  December 4, 2014
sinterklass

No, our Spellcheck isn’t the fritz. “Sinterklaas” is Nicholas Sinterklaas (known to his pals as Old St. Nick), a 4th century bishop from Asia Minor who is mostly an unknown character in history. And just like any good gift-wielding superhero, there are stories about him. Rhinebeck’s festival that bears his name “honors our Dutch heritage by re-creating a celebration that the Dutch settlers brought to Rhinebeck over 300 years ago,” according to the event website. It continues:

“Mounted on a white steed, a town resident dressed up as Sinterklaas (elegantly garbed in a bishop’s tall hat, red cape, shiny ring, and jeweled staff) rode through town knocking on doors late at night. He was accompanied the Grumpus. Also known as Black Peter, the Grumpus — a wild looking half-man, half-beast. To good children — Sinterklaas and the Grumpus delivered a bag of goodies.”

The naughty kids, however, were threatened with kidnapping by Grumpus, and the only slightly naughty kids got a switch to the behind.  The Dutch Sinterklaas parade takes place every December 6 in Holland, but no worries if you can’t swing the plane ticket. Visit the village of Rhinbeck, instead, for a celebration packed with parades, musical performances, puppet shows, stilt-walkers, jesters, Dutch treats, story readings, and oh so much more. Seriously, there are tons of things happening starting at noon with the opening ceremony and ending with the Children’s Star Ceremony at 6:30pm followed by a Hoe Down at the town hall at 7:30. Better make your plans to go to this holiday event, lest your risk Grumpus’ switch. Oh, and the whole thing is free and happens in rain or shine. More on the schedule here.

Read On, Reader...