Old Dutch Fest

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.

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.