Historic Hudson Valley Hosts Pinkster Festival In Sleepy Hollow

SLEEPY HOLLOW, N.Y. – Philipsburg Manor plans to celebrate the arrival of spring with drumming, dancing, storytelling and eating May 19 at the Pinkster Festival.

Music, dancing and storytelling are part of the springtime celebration of Pinkster at Philipsburg Manor on May 19.
Photo Credit: *Bryan Haeffele*

by Meredith Shamburger

05/03/2013 5:00 a.m.

The celebration will be a throwback to festivities created by colonial Dutch settlers and enslaved Africans.

Historic Hudson Valley notes the original celebrations were an opportunity for separated slaves to come together. “Pinkster” derives from the Dutch word for Pentecost and began as a religious and secular Dutch spring holiday.

The festival will take place at the Sleepy Hollow site from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available on Historic Hudson Valley's website and are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for children and free for kids under the age of 3.

Ghana native Maxwell Kofi Donkor will lead a drumming and dance demonstration. April Armstrong will take the lead in storytelling. Historic Hudson Valley also notes Judith Samuel and the Children of Dahomey will perform an African colonial dance. Activities will include the Pinkster Parade and Game of Lies, followed by the crowing of the Pinkster King, crafts, games and tours of the site.

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