Sloatsburg — Frosty breath and hot chocolate. Songs sung with friends and families. Bright burning candles amid decorated trees and hearths. Gift giving and dinner celebrations. Many of these postcard pictures of how we approach our holiday activities come directly from the Victorian Era. But whether it’s Christmas or Hanukkah, Yuletide or Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice or Wassailing, new or old, fervent or jolly, most all holiday celebrations this time of year are rooted in communal celebration–for health and harvest, for safety, for family, for friends.
Sloatsburg’s very own tradition of tree lighting and caroling through the central Village, led by Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves, takes place Sunday, December 4th, and caps a weekend of activities and cheer to help kick–off the holiday season.
“It really is one of the great traditions of Sloatsburg,” said Mayor Carl Wright, a life-long village resident, adding that the Village has hosted the evening in one form or another for nearly 40 years, through all kinds of weather and conditions. He recalled one particular evening of caroling that struck him, where the weather and communal holiday spirit both rose to the occasion.
“It was one of the most beautiful nights,” he said, describing how the carolers made their way through the village as snow fell. “Just gorgeous, gorgeous. I was out directing traffic near the Village Hall in a snowstorm. But for me it was beautiful, that moment.”
Marie Dodrill, a Friend of the Sloatsburg Library, said the annual event brings people together. She agreed that snow fall and caroling seem to go well together. “It’s nice to be around all the people and sing as we go along,” she said. “There doesn’t have to be snow. It’s enjoyable, the companionship, the fun of walking through the Village in the evening with everyone. But a little snow is always good.”
The weekend gets underway Saturday, December 3rd, when the Sloatsburg Public Library hosts its 3rd annual Holiday Fair during the day, featuring vendors from throughout the area selling holiday foods and gifts, many handmade. Sponsored by the Friends of the Sloatsburg Library, a community organization whose efforts support library activities and programs, the Holiday Fair may be just the place to pick up that special pair of earrings that say . . . perfect.
Meanwhile, St. Joan of Arc Church will present a Christmas Boutique, Bake and Poinsettia Sale during the day on both Saturday and Sunday.
Dave and Marilyn Conklin, as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, will host the annual Breakfast with Santa at Sloatsburg Elementary School on Sunday morning, an event that raises funds for the Needy Children’s Program. The event, also sponsored by the Village, features a homemade pancake breakfast where Santa will talk and take pictures with kids. Conklin and his wife will finish the day leading carolers though Sloatsburg and ending at the Village Hall.
The Sloatsburg Annual Lighting and Caroling begins at 4 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church and proceeds to Harmony Hall, the Sloatsburg Public Library, United Methodist Church, and the Village Hall. At the Village Hall carolers will be joined by the Suffern High School Select Choir. A concert by the Select Choir and reception takes place in the Fire Hall after the lighting ceremonies. For more information, call the Village Hall at 753-2727.
Schedule of Weekend Holiday Events:
— Holiday Fair at the Sloatsburg Public Library, Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
— St. Joan of Arc Church Fair, Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
— Breakfast with Santa, Sunday, December 4 at Sloatsburg Elementary School, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, or to make a reservation for this event, call the Village Hall at 753-2727 .
— Harmony Hall Victorian Holiday at the Jacob Sloat House, Sunday, December 4, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
— Sloatsburg Annual Tree and Menorah Lighting & Caroling, Sunday, December 4, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Meets at St. Joan of Arc Church.
Source: Ornament art image courtesy of Second Site Studio.
