FroZendale in Rosendale

Townwide annual winter festival, FroZendale in Rosendale

FroZendale, a community-generated festival, will be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, with just about every shop on Main Street showcasing the best of local food, art, music and crafts. FroZendale takes place on the second Saturday of December.

The day begins at 10 a.m., at the Rosendale Library, 264 Main St., with holiday stories for children with Miss Pat. Throughout the day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., there is a wonderful used book and small gift sale, along with free cookies! Thanks to the library's friend, Nancy Tuller, their usual hand-knitted items are also for sale. Stop in and take a chance on the raffle for one of their great holiday gift baskets. The drawing takes place at 3 p.m.

At 11 a.m., at the Rosendale Theatre, 408 Main St., there is a free screening of “An American Tail” (1986), rated G. The story: While emigrating to the United States, a young Russian mouse gets separated from his family and must relocate them while trying to survive in a new country. This animated adventure comedy is made possible with a grant from Ulster Savings Bank.

Around noon, one will find the Town of Rosendale supervisor, Jeanne Walsh, and town clerk, Mandy Donald, giving out free “collectible” Rosendale mugs of hot chocolate behind Bill's Barber Shop, 369 Main St.  

The winter gift sale at RosenSpace, located in the building behind The Big Cheese, 404 Main St., will offer an assortment of craft vendors with locally made gifts.

Redwing Blackbird Theater, 413 Main St., is doing an open house offering puppet museum tours, puppet workshops and puppet shows! Founder Amy Trompetter runs the Puppet Workshop from 3-4 p.m., where participants of every age make hands-on creations, immediately followed by a puppet show from 4-4:30 p.m.

Stop into Guts ‘n Glory Ink, 426 Main St., the all-female tattoo shop, where all three women do annual tattoo specials and make a 10% donation to a local charity. Piercer Victoria Rothman will also be guesting! Fine art prints and “tattooed ornaments" will be on sale. The shop will also be hosting two awesome vendors in their gallery area this year: "The Sisters are IN," a podcast based on the Free Advice for a Dollar booth that originated at the Rosedale Street Festival, featuring crystal gifts for the holidays, and "Archive Beacon," their talented friend, collector and interior designer Kim Wilson, who will sell highly curated vintage and antiques.

At 430 Main St., Art JuXtapose founder Sylvia Diaz will present Lady Aurora Claus, “first of her name, the unfrozen, mother of flying reindeer, keeper of promises,” to add holiday sparkle and charm to the season. Enjoy storybook readings on the hour in the gallery, sing and smile with a favorite visitor from the North Pole, and explore the Tarot card readings by Maria Lent, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Paws & Tails will offer sales and treats for pets. Enjoy hot barley tea all afternoon and gingerbread man decorating, noon-3 p.m. The 1850 House Inn and Tavern, 435 Main St., will host a happy hour. Postmark Books, at 449 Main St., will have hot chocolate with snacks, gifts, and of course books for sale! The Garden House 12472, 4 Hardenburgh Lane, will have lunch and dinner specials. And Vision of Tibet, 416 Main St., will be selling beautiful, affordable, fair-trade gifts from the Himalayas.

Soiled Doves, 410 Main St., with the best old stuff and antiques for sale, will have lots of surprises. For example, in 2017 a horse appeared in front of the shop dressed like an angel. Last year a ballerina danced the Sugarplum Fairy. The suspense is growing over what’s in store this year!

"The Future of fashion is in green sustainable clothing, and we at Nettle and Violet could not be happier about it,” said Shabbat Rusciolelli, of the shop at 446 Main St., where she absolutely loves meeting people and exploring fashion and clothing together. “Reworked vintage gems and products designed to look good and last are worth investing in."

The amazing day of FroZendale culminates when, at 5 p.m., the Rosendale Improvement Association Brass Band and Social Club parades from the Redwing Blackbird Theater to the Big Cheese for the Mac and Cheese Bake-Off. Anyone who can melt cheese can compete in this annual competition to win prizes. Drop off the entry between 4:30 and 5 p.m. Top dishes will be decided by Town of Rosendale Judge William Papp and retired judge Robert Vosper.

For more information, visit FroZendalerosendale on Facebook or email FroZendale2011@gmail.com.