Pinkster Fest
May 18, 2008
Campbell-Christie House
Historic New Bridge Landing
1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ
Spring is sprung! Come dance around the Maypole! On Sunday, May 18th, from 1 to 4 PM, visitors to Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge are invited to imagine they are back in a time when winter meant months of deep cold and isolation, dispelled only by the heat of firewood burning on the hearth. And then to imagine that—at last—the days lengthen into summer! Such is the essence of “Pinkster,” a springtime festival, which the Jersey Dutch and their descendants celebrated and which will be brought back to life for your enjoyment. The historic Campbell-Christie and Demarest Houses, built of the native red sandstone, and a working Out-Kitchen will be open for visitors to explore, as volunteers in Colonial-era garb demonstrate the “latest” dance steps. 18th century sutlers will sell their wares. There will be games and activities for children. Rodger Yaden, a Bergen County actor, and friends will present dramatic scenes or amateur theatricals. Refreshments will be served. The public is most welcome. Suggested donation: $5 adults; $2 children; BCHS members free.
For further info, call 201-343-9492 or visit:
www.bergencountyhistory.org/The Jersey Dutch joyously celebrated Pentecost as Pinkster, a holiday marking the budding of trees, the flowering of shrubs and feasting upon the first harvest of spring grains. A Maypole was set in the ground and decorated with nosegays woven from wildflowers as an emblem of spring. A sporting contest, usually involving foot or horse races, determined who would be crowned as a figurative bride and groom, the May Queen and Leaf King. The custom originated in pagan times with the flower-crowned young couple personifying the awakening summer. To make a feast, the May Queen and her maidens led merry-makers in a procession, going door-to-door, singing and begging dyed eggs, butter, bread, cream, coffee, sugar, and tallow candles. They decorated the doors of those who donated with a green sprig. Food collected in their spring baskets furnished the table of the communal Pinkster supper, actually a mock wedding feast, complete with ring dances. Buttermilk toasts, singing, and poetry recitals rounded out the celebration.
The name of the holiday derives from the Greek word for the “fiftieth day,” denoting the ancient Jewish celebration of the first fruits of the harvest, culminating seven weeks after Passover. On the seventh Sunday after Easter, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The English long identified this holiday with the white garments of baptismal candidates, calling it Whitsunday or “White Sunday.” Among the Jersey Dutch, a rose-colored Azalea blossom, known as the “Pinxter blomachee,” was the May bush.
The Pinkster Ode
The Whitsun crown has come again.
Huzzah!
The flags are waving on all sides.
Huzzah!
We dance about it as of old,
all together, hand in hand.
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
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