Minutes ago on Facebook, I received notification that a group of 'Merry Rioters' would be congregating at Bidwell Parkway to sing Christmas carols on Thursday December 23rd from 7pm-9pm. The group is looking for people to come out and 'cajole, carol and cavort', though mainly the idea is to bring back caroling to neighborhoods that have gone without for some time. Back in the day, caroling was a popular pastime - one that has fallen by the wayside only to be replaced by TV and video games. There are those who long for the simpler times, when the spirit of Christmas was not necessarily about shopping... it was more about celebrating the holiday season and being with one's family.
While organizing a winter festival earlier in November, someone brought up the idea of reaching out to carolers to add some holiday ambiance. At the same time, someone else asked what the budget was to hire them. That was the first time that I ever heard caroling referred to as a paying gig, which apparently it is. The organizers of the caroling session advise participants to, "...dress warm and walk some Elmwood neighborhoods doing an old school carol, looking for Christmas spirit." There may also be a cocoa and cookie stop along the way. For those arriving late, the caroling could end up carrying over to Elmwood or Allen where 'cocoa' could be substituted with 'draughts'. See you at Elmwood and Bidwell on Thursday!
We will be updating BRO readers before the event - organizers are working on a PDF with songs that can be downloaded and printed.
*Photo: Carolers from Amherst High School carol on Main Street downtown
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While organizing a winter festival earlier in November, someone brought up the idea of reaching out to carolers to add some holiday ambiance. At the same time, someone else asked what the budget was to hire them. That was the first time that I ever heard caroling referred to as a paying gig, which apparently it is. The organizers of the caroling session advise participants to, "...dress warm and walk some Elmwood neighborhoods doing an old school carol, looking for Christmas spirit." There may also be a cocoa and cookie stop along the way. For those arriving late, the caroling could end up carrying over to Elmwood or Allen where 'cocoa' could be substituted with 'draughts'. See you at Elmwood and Bidwell on Thursday!
We will be updating BRO readers before the event - organizers are working on a PDF with songs that can be downloaded and printed.
*Photo: Carolers from Amherst High School carol on Main Street downtown
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Better have lots of hot strong wassail along with them.