Stories From Main Street: Rhinebeck, NY
RHINEBECK, NY (WCBS 880) - A holiday celebration could be in trouble north of New York City.
LISTEN: WCBS 880's Deborah Rodriguez reports
Since it first marched on to Main Street in Rhinebeck two years ago, Sinterklaas has become a local tradition.
"Performers seem to come up out of the sidewalk, out of every venue in town," Pat Sexton told WCBS 880's Deborah Rodriguez. "It's just explosive, wonderful joy."
Sexton is in charge of theater production for Sinkterklaas, which celebrates old Dutch holiday customs, and culminates in a parade in early December.
Sexton says, "We've been very fortunate for the last two years that we have been part of larger funding that is no longer available."
So the object this year is to save Sinterklaas.
"I think losing it would be a terrible blow to the area, financially and spiritually and all of the ways that bringing community together makes this gorgeous little town the place we want to live in," says Sexton.
LINK: Rhinebeck Sinterklaas
Community members are hosting house parties, and asking guests to bring their checkbooks, in hopes of bringing the magic back, at least for this year.
Sexton said, "After the night, I remember just feeling my face and going 'I have not smiled and laughed and been blown away, ever, than these Sinterklaas days that we've spent.'"
