Jamie Larson reports from Rhinebeck. The unique traditional Dutch holiday-time celebration of Sinterklaas is, understandably, foreign to most, but not to those in Rhinebeck. The festival and parade, which takes place on December 7, transforms the town into a dreamscape wonderland. The extravaganza started over 20 years ago but restarted in earnest six years ago. The annual community celebration honors the region's Dutch heritage but also does so much more, over the years becoming an all-inclusive nondenominational celebration that includes all sorts of whimsical mythology. In preparation of the Sinterklaas season, a "Star Party" was held at the Beekman Arms ballroom on Saturday, November 9 to raise funds for the festival and give party-goers a taste of the unique story being woven around the occasion. Pictured above: Head organizer and professional "celebration artist" Jeanne Fleming holding symbolically magical fox figures, and, to her left, Beekman Arms owners George and Phebe Banta, robed to symbolize their new titles as "keepers of the flame" and honored with the privilege of lighting the season's first star.
State Senator Terry Gipson, wife Michelle Donner, and Jeanne Fleming; Kingston Sinterklaas organizer Susan Linn, Cheryl Norton, and Sue Hartshorn.
Rachel Hyman of HH Hill Realty and storyteller Jonathan Kruk; Snow King Sean Nutly, owner of bluecashew Kitchen Pharmacy, and Snow Child Sadie Bloch.
The Snow King, Snow Child, Keepers of the Flame George and Phebe Banta, and Snow Queen Emily Houpt.
Musician Renee Snyder owner of Snyder Music and CR Guitars with Caitlin Millard, proprietor of Zephyr; Sinterklaas supporters Karen Burke and Sam Elsamman.
Abby Saxon and Clara Sauer of the Wild Women Dance Troupe with artist Gisa Botbol; the first star of the Sinterklaas season.
Gale Wolfe of Medical Aesthetics HV, Johanna Bard of Your Hudson Valley Organizer and Hemingway Lane Bed and Breakfast and artist Grace Gunning; Lila Pague representing EnjoyRhinebeck.com and owner of Winter Sun and Summer Moon, with volunteers Jill Lunquist and Elena Erber.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
