The Magic of Sinterklaas
The Polar Bear Returns to Celebrate the Season
2:00-4:00 pm
Saturday, December 20
Foster’s Parking lot
(center of Rhinebeck)
Special appearances by
The Grumpuses,
and
The Pocket Lady
Plus
A Carol Sing Along
led by the wonderful Eva Salina!
Come dance and sing with us!
The Call was loud and clear!
Actually it was many, many calls and emails and posts and texts, that is! from all of you!!!!
As Sinterklaas day approached this year we were all feeling terribly sad. Trying to find another way to put meaning into a day that has meant so much to us and to many in the community now that it is gone.
Hundreds of folks wrote to us expressing their sadness and telling us how much they missed Sinterklaas. We drove through town on Sinterklaas evening and it was quiet and dark…except for the bright lights at Foster’s Coach House.
And then suddenly, the tenor of the calls, emails, posts and texts changed…it was not just sadness but it was folks loudly begging us to shed some light on the season, to bring something to a darkened Rhinebeck for the holidays.
The many calls, posts, emails and texts, finally became one huge CALL TO ACTION!
For us it has always been the children…even as hope was lost for getting the funding, none of us could give it up– as we remembered the expressions of wonder and delight on the children’s faces. So, we thought, what delighted them more than anything? Well, everything, but in the end, it was that Polar Bear!!! The kids loved him…so we called him first. He said YES…and then…and then…so did everyone! Within hours, the crew is assembled! Stage managers, musicians, singers, dancers, grumpy old men, choreographers, bell ringers…
So, we invite
ALL the children,
ALL those who love the Polar Bear,
All those who loved Sinterklaas
Saturday, December 20
2:00-4:00 pm
Foster’s Parking lot (center of Rhinebeck)
If you have a Sinter Star from year’s past, bring it!
We thank the Bender Family and Foster’s for their generosity in hosting us!
A Brief Bit of Background About Sinterklaas Rhinebeck
Based on an Old Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas is a day-long celebration in Rhinebeck, New York, where the CHILDREN are transformed into KINGS and QUEENS and honored as the bringers of light at the darkest time of the year.
For 26 years this community-powered festival has welcomed visitors from near and far. Thousands of children have been immersed in the magic of the event, from making their own personalized crowns and branches (after all they are royalty for the day) to experiencing the up-close thrill of the musicians, dancers, storytellers, puppets, and magicians that they find on every corner, in every venue, every parking lot, and every available space in the village.
The day culminates in a Children’s Starlight Parade with towering puppets, Kings and Queens in sequined gowns, light-filled stars, a life-size dancing bear, music and, of course, Sinterklaas and his trusty steed!
What does it take to bring Sinterklaas to Rhinebeck??
“It takes a village” It is a massive undertaking involving close to 1,000 volunteers when it is said and done. Over 95 volunteers begin working the summer before; more than 350 performers; 350 volunteer puppeteers; complex arrangements with the village, county, and state departments (police, emergency services, road closings and more); staff to manage the administrative requirements, to stage manage all the stages and venues, graphic designers for signage, programs, website and social media; information managers; and volunteer coordinators, and many, many artists and designers to name a few.
And what does it take for a non-profit organization to produce this totally FREE event? To be blunt, it takes about $125,000. What are the costs, you wonder? Insurance fees ($10K) ; rentals (porta-potties, barricades, stages, moving trucks ($10K ); a substantial donation to the village ($10K) to underwrite the police; food — one must feed the volunteers and the performers who work all day into the night); materials for costumes; fabrication of puppets; printing for signage and programs; the list goes on…
Where does the money come from? About half comes from small donors, a few grants and the sales of the illuminated “Sinterklaas” stars. For the rest, we rely on the year-to-year appearance of one or more gracious benefactors with a deep appreciation for this beloved community event and with more to give. They provide the support that makes the day a reality.
The challenge? The financial responsibility of finding the funds when the planning and expenses are needed months before the money and permits come in is taxing. And, in years when the event runs a deficit, the stress is nearly untenable.
Sadly…
Official Statement from the Sinterklaas Committee Regarding Sinterklaas 2025
Before we say goodbye, I want to take this moment to give a shout out to the astonishing core group of folks who, for 25 years, dedicated themselves and their creativity, camaraderie, hard work and talent to make Sinterklaas happen for so long. To the hundreds of incredible artists and thousands of volunteers – thank you! I bid sad adieu to the all the creative time spent collaborating together in endless meetings and working dinners that went into making this one thing happen for everyone. The storytelling, the laughter, the music, the drama, the silliness and fun. It has been the greatest joy of my life to have lived and worked with this extraordinary group of generous souls in this wonderful community to truly allow magic to happen.
It is hard to believe that something as unique and beloved as Sinterklaas could fall casualty to lack of money—but that is the case.
As of Friday afternoon September 19, our last hope of saving the event fell through…and so, we have to cancel. We tried many different avenues all year long, but were not able to get the final amount of money to make it happen.
We are also the casualty of another situation–the new tariffs! Our Sinterklaas Stars that are made in India (to benefit an orphanage) and the lights that are made in China—have nearly tripled in price, making them unaffordable for most families—and the funds raised by the stars accounted for 1/5 of the budget. It is also possible that the Stars, once shipped, could be caught up in the customs backlog and may not make it here in time anyway.
And, arts Grants have been cut back or eliminated.
So, it is our sad duty to tell you that my favorite event and that of many (all the artists to be sure!) is cancelled.
And thank you to all those who did support us all these many, many years. We love you all and thank you for the privilege of having been able to do the work!
Thank you.
Jeanne Fleming
Creator/Coordinator
For the entire Sinterklaas Crew
P.S. Rest assured that we will refund any donations for this year that have come in so far in the next two weeks.
A Brief Bit of Background About Sinterklaas Rhinebeck
Based on an Old Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas is a day-long celebration in Rhinebeck, New York, where the CHILDREN are transformed into KINGS and QUEENS and honored as the bringers of light at the darkest time of the year.
For 26 years this community-powered festival has welcomed visitors from near and far. Thousands of children have been immersed in the magic of the event, from making their own personalized crowns and branches (after all they are royalty for the day) to experiencing the up-close thrill of the musicians, dancers, storytellers, puppets, and magicians that they find on every corner, in every venue, every parking lot, and every available space in the village.
The day culminates in a Children’s Starlight Parade with towering puppets, Kings and Queens in sequined gowns, light-filled stars, a life-size dancing bear, music and, of course, Sinterklaas and his trusty steed!
What does it take to bring Sinterklaas to Rhinebeck??
“It takes a village” It is a massive undertaking involving close to 1,000 volunteers when it is said and done. Over 95 volunteers begin working the summer before; more than 350 performers; 350 volunteer puppeteers; complex arrangements with the village, county, and state departments (police, emergency services, road closings and more); staff to manage the administrative requirements, to stage manage all the stages and venues, graphic designers for signage, programs, website and social media; information managers; and volunteer coordinators, and many, many artists and designers to name a few.
And what does it take for a non-profit organization to produce this totally FREE event? To be blunt, it takes about $125,000. What are the costs, you wonder? Insurance fees ($10K) ; rentals (porta-potties, barricades, stages, moving trucks ($10K ); a substantial donation to the village ($10K) to underwrite the police; food — one must feed the volunteers and the performers who work all day into the night); materials for costumes; fabrication of puppets; printing for signage and programs; the list goes on…
Where does the money come from? About half comes from small donors, a few grants and the sales of the illuminated “Sinterklaas” stars. For the rest, we rely on the year-to-year appearance of one or more gracious benefactors with a deep appreciation for this beloved community event and with more to give. They provide the support that makes the day a reality.
The challenge? The financial responsibility of finding the funds when the planning and expenses are needed months before the money and permits come in is taxing. And, in years when the event runs a deficit, the stress is nearly untenable.
Sinterklaas in the HUdson Valley is Special!
WELCOME
CHILDREN
COMMUNITY
MAGIC
PAGEANTRY
PERFORMANCE
What do you do on Sinterklaas Day!
Add copy here about what activities folks do that make it perfect Sinterklaas day ….
A Celebration like this lives on in the hearts of Many!
After 16 amazing spectacular annual Sinterklaas celebrations this extraordinary community affair is taking a break. Closing the door but leaving the lights on in the event, or the hope or the wish that something or someone comes along and injects the needed fuel to make it all happen again.