Old Dutch Church Fest

On the weekends of Oct. 19-20 and
Oct. 26-27, from noon to 6 p.m., the Old Dutch Church will host its Old Dutch Fest on the church grounds.
Visitors are invited to enjoy grilled sausages and pumpkin ale, browse booths
with wares and information about the church and Sleepy Hollow country, and play
a mobile carillon (see below). There will be face-painting, balloon-tying, and pumpkins
for sale. Children may try on Dutch period attire. One wonders if the Headless
Horseman himself will not pay a visit to haunt the festivities.

The massive Mobile Millennium Carillon – which is a set of large church bells
connected to an organ-style “keyboard” on a truck bed – will rest outside the
Old Dutch, where visitors may play it for a nominal fee. This carillon is one
of only two in the United States and most recently toured Europe for about 15
years. This awe-inspiring instrument thrills audiences with its five and
one-half tons of cast bronze bells. Hearing the bells, and feeling the
vibration of their sound, will make for a unique and dynamic hands-on outdoor
musical experience.

Children are also invited to enter
the Old Dutch church at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27 to hear a telling of Not Too Spooky Tales, to be presented
by actress, musician and master story-teller April Armstrong, accompanied by musician
Jim Keyes. Each performance is 40 minutes in length. “It’s a great way for kids
to celebrate Halloween – one minute you may jump out of your seat and the next
minute Ms. April will have you laughing out loud,” said the Rev. Jeff Gargano,
the church’s pastor. Admission prices are $6 for children 12 and under, and $9
for adults. Reservations may be made by visiting http://halloweentales.showclix.com
or phone 1-888-71-TICKETS Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Two half-hour concerts on the Carillon will also be performed on Oct. 19 and 20 at
2 p.m. during Old Dutch Fest by Marietta Douglas, the carilloneur for the First
Presbyterian Church in Stamford, CT, commonly known as the “Fish Church,” and
St. Mark’s Church in New Canaan, CT.

The Old Dutch Church building and adjacent burying ground will be itself be
open for tours. Built in 1685 by Frederick Philipse, Dutch founder of
nearby Philipsburg Manor, the Old Dutch is the oldest standing church building in
New York State and one of the oldest in the United States. Worship services are
still held there on summer Sundays and on Christmas Eve, and it is the venue
for wedding ceremonies and concerts year-round.

Visitors to all
events within the confines of the Old Dutch Church building should be aware
that entry to the church involves negotiating a long, steep ramp; uneven stone
steps; narrow entryways; and narrow aisles and seating.