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Rhinebeck Transforms for All-Day Sinterklaas Celebration
December 4 @ 10 a.m. - midnight
If you’re looking for a unique and truly traditional holiday experience, head to Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, this Saturday. The town transforms itself into what the Huffington Post called a “virtual Whoville” to celebrate Sinterklaas!, an old Dutch tradition hearkening back to ancient times and brought to the New World by the settlers of the town 300 years ago.
Sinterklaas was purportedly a real person, born in the 4th century in Asia Minor. He became a bishop, loved children and traveled through Italy, Spain and all of Northern Europe by the 11th century. Sinterklaas had a sidekick known as a Grumpus (what could be more Seussian?) - a half man, half beast, who walked through the town rattling chains, carrying a big black bag to take away the naughtiest children and switches to punish those less bad.
The Sinterklaas tradition, which continues in Holland today, includes a festive parade, as does Rhinebeck’s celebration. Also on tap for the day - literally dozens of activities to do and see, from juggling to caroling, storytelling, a Teddy bear beauty contest, craft workshops, performances by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and the Hey-Ya Brothers and much more. See the Sinterklaas website for a complete schedule and an in-depth description of the holiday tradition.
Sinterklaas!
Free
Rhinebeck, NY
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Posted by Taitia Shelow on 11/30/10 at 07:45 PM • Permalink
