For the second year in a row, Rhinebeck’s beloved Sinterklaas festival has been canceled. The parade has been a tradition in the town for over a decade up until last year, when it was canceled due to lack of funding. Financial difficulties due to a deficit from 2023 and the loss of several vital volunteers resulted in a smaller village celebration with talk about continuing the parade in future years. However, we are yet again faced with the absence of Sinterklaas, so what happened?
According to the official statement by the Sinterklaas committee, Jeanne Fleming writes, “…it is our sad duty to tell you that my favorite event and that of many (all the artists to be sure!) is canceled. 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!” They write “It takes a village.” One thousand volunteers are needed to contribute to this event, which historically started preparing the summer before the event.
Moreover the Sinterklaas committee conveys how the budget is made up of “about half [coming] 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.”
In short, the festivities have been subject to lack of sufficient funding. The parade requires just upwards of $100,000 to run and many major donors have moved out of the area, leaving Sinterklaas without tens of thousands in funding that they usually rely on. However, there have also been some unexpected obstacles resulting from tariff increases. Sinterklaas raises money in several different ways including donations and sponsors. One of the most impactful ways is through the sale of their Sinterklaas stars. The money raised from these paper decorations provide about twenty percent of the annual budget. These items, made in India and China, have become too expensive to make a profit from, cutting off an important funding pipeline for the parade.
Despite no Sinterklaas event this year, there are still alternatives for celebrating the Holiday spirit in our community. Rhinebeck High School hosted the Winter Craft Fair & Market on the 13th of December from 10 to 3pm in the gymnasium. Over 60 unique vendors sold holiday goods, with raffles and delicious treats for purchase. The Arm of the Sea Theater with Vanaver Caravan hosted a production on December 13th and December 14 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm in Rosendale. This show, in its 18th year, was titled “Into the Light.” The production was a “Fairy-tale-like journey” that follows the journey of a girl named Lucia. You can find more information about the production on the Arm of the Sea’s official website. Furthermore, Red Hook hosted the “Parade of Lights” on December 13th at 6:00pm. Finally, “The Wonderland of Lights” was open at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds through the end of December. These were just some of the other opportunities to celebrate the holiday season in our community and even with no Sinterklaas, Rhinebeck proved to be very festive.
