The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual “Colonial Christmas” celebration on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3.
“Combining history, the holidays, singing and good cheer, New Hope is sharing the experience of a Colonial Christmas to not only celebrate the spirit of the season, but also to pay homage to the Borough’s rich historic tradition,” said a chamber spokesperson.
The event features carolers on Friday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., and again on Saturday after 4 p.m., who will be singing at the Parry Mansion at 45 S. Main St., and then strolling through the streets of New Hope.
Also on Saturday, Colonial reenactors will arrive at the Parry Mansion, and perform for the afternoon. There, troops and camp followers will be showing what Colonial life was like in Coryell’s Ferry (New Hope) and tell the tale of the journey to McConkey’s Ferry (Washington Crossing), in December 1776. That was when a young 18-year-old James Monroe crossed the Delaware River to hold the Princeton-Pennington Road, along with 40 other patriots, in support of the river crossing farther south by Washington. Native Americans in traditional garb will demonstrate dances and music at the Parry Mansion, as well.
At 2 p.m.”General Washington” will inspect of the troops of the Continental Army at Ferry Street Park, and there will be a memorial service and musket salute for fallen patriots, including those who answered their final call this past year.
William Washington (George Washington’s nephew) will be in attendance, along with a James Monroe reenactor, and a town crier.
Also scheduled was the dedication of a new public bench donated in memory of New Hope icon Bob Gerenser, a renowned reenactor and former member of New Hope’s Borough Council. Despite appearing to approve the entire event at a September meeting, Borough Hall has generated enough red tape in recent weeks to halt recognition of Gerenser, who was known as an outspoken critic of the local political establishment.
The event finishes at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Parry Mansion, where the Colonial Candlelight carolers will sing their way to North Main Street, and then back down South Main Street, finally ending at the public space near the Locktender’s House.
And continuing its Christmas cheer, the New Hope Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Holiday Party on Monday, Dec. 5 at Havana, 105 S. Main St., at 6:30 p.m.
“The chamber extends this invitation to all New Hope residents, as well as the entire business community,” said a spokesperson. “This is our way of thanking the entire town for their community support, and we are indebted to Mark Stevens and Havana for their generosity in joining us in hosting the event.”
There is no cover charge at the door, although guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item for a local pantry.
This year the New Hope Chamber will be honoring New Hope Celebrates by presenting them with the Community Service Award in recognition for all that they have done on behalf of the LGBT community.
Light fare will be served with a cash bar.
Shame on them for not respecting what he did for the community for so long. I am sadly disappointed in the “red tape”. The reenactments will never be the same again, he em bodied the heart and passion of the tradition.