There’s something so bewitching about the Waldorf way of education. The wooden, silken, woolen toys, the oral pre-literacy tradition, the puppet shows, the time outside in the woods and on farms, the daily rhythms, the breadmaking! There’s a sense of magic to the whole thing. So, of course, the tradition includes community gatherings with such a sense of renewal and allure that there’s even an extra “e” at the end of the name. Two local Waldorf-inspired schools are treating the community to a weekend of spring faires.
Primrose Hill School is situated on a farm, so at their 2nd Annual Spring Faire, families can enjoy the animals (including a bunny hutch) and lots of hay-filled fun (like hay rides and a hay pyramid). Throughout the day, there’s music, dancing with The Vanaver Caravan, and a puppet show. Primrose Hill School is a Waldorf-inspired program for nursery through 2nd grade (and growing a grade each year). They offer a Nature Camp in summer and a CSA. 2nd Annual Spring Faire, Saturday, May 30th, 11a-3p, at 23 Spring Brook Park in Rhinebeck; local food available; free admission. For more information, contact info@primrosehillschool.com or (845) 876-1226.
At Mountaintop School’s sixth annual Music and Merriment Festival, there will be a lot of both with local musicians/parents of students, Neil Rosen and Rachel Loshak, performing, a square dance, and the Niddle Naddle Puppeteers to close the day with a show. In true Waldorf fashion, families come together to make a day full of homemade pleasures: food, crafts, and a raffle of handmade toys. There’s even a Pocket Person who invites children to pick a pocket of her cape and see what tissue-wrapped treasures they can find. Mountaintop School provides a Waldorf Little Ones program through mixed-age Kindergarten, plus a summer program. Music and Merriment, Sunday, May 31st, at 68 Band Camp Road in West Saugerties, 1-5p; $5 suggested donation (proceeds go to Family of Woodstock). For more info contact 845-389-7322 or mountaintopschool@gmail.com.
UPDATE: Due to rain on May 31st, the Music and Merriment Festival has been postponed until the rain date of Sunday, June 7th. Check it out then!
This article appears in 05-01-2015.
