Come join us for a Dutch Tradition in Schuylerville on Saturday December 3rd.  St. Nicolaas will arrive on his white horse and lead a children’s lantern walk with caroling through the village to light the village Christmas tree.  Families should gather at the corner of Broad & Spring Streets where lanterns will be distributed.  St. Nicolaas will arrive at 4:15pm – Childrens Lantern Walk at 4:25pm – Tree lighting ceremony at 5pm.  This event is sponsered by the Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Other events this weekend include the Lighting of the Memory Trees on Friday December 2nd at 6pm and the Festival of Trees on Saturday December 3rd from 10am to 4pm at the Saratoga Town Hall.  Besides the lovely trees there will be a story and crafts for the children.  Please see the events calendar for more details

The Dutch tradition of St. Nicolaas is a blend of many legends from different parts of the world.  Wherever he is known there are tales of the kindness and protection he gives especially to children, sailors and the poor.  The Dutch account tells of St. Nicolaas arriving from Spain on a steamboat bringing with him his white horse and his many mischievous helpers who are called Piets.

Youngsters believe that his horse will carry St. Nicolaas over the rooftops to listen at the chimneys.  This is his clever way of finding out who has been naughty and who has been nice.  On the evening of St. Nicolaas children leave their wooden shoes near the fireplace along with carrots ro hay for St. Nicolaas’ horse.  It is the job of the Piets to climb down the chimney, gather up the snacks and fill the little shoes with treats to be discovered the next morning.  The trip through the chimneys cover the Piets with black soot while St. Nicolaas’ red robes stay spotless and brilliant.