A Festival of Carols

The Jacob Stroud Corporation* in Stroudsburg, PA celebrated the holidays on Saturday December 13th with their Annual Festival of Carols featuring an evening filled with seasonal music, dance, and exhibitions which took place along Main St. Stroudsburg. Numerous shops, galleries, restaurants, Christian Churches. and art related organizations participated in this enchanting event. The chill in the air did little to displace the warmth the festival inspired as many who attended enjoy all it had to offer while greeting either friends they’ve know for years or the new ones they discovered that night.

There were many outdoor performances along Main Street as there were those which took place in doors. Those musicians and choirs sharing their talents outdoors included Dr. Tony and Friends, The Solid Rock Church Choir, The Light of the World Church Choir and Band www.lightoftheworldchurchpa.org, and the annual performance by The Merry Tuba Christmas Band as conducted by Dr. Otis French* of the East Stroudsburg University* Department of Music which was presented in the Courthouse Square. Among the many indoor performances held throughout the evening, those who came in to enjoy the toasty respite from their wintry explorations were greeted by The Jauggernaut String Band* www.juggernautstringband.com who played the Cajun tune they’ve been made famous for in The Aardvark Sports Shop, Jesse and Kristine Green* www.jessegreen.com whose soft and sultry renditions of Holiday classic entertained Jazz lovers in Josephine’s Fleur-de-lis, and a Teacher/Student Recital was held at The Fergus and Clark Academy for the Performing Arts* www.fergusandclark.com.

In addition to all this, the evening included some Strolling Street Performances by the legendary Blues band The Lost Ramblers* and the equally legendary Anita Bondi* and her Dance Company www.anitabondiandco.com performed some spontaneous, improvisational dance routines. There were also art exhibitions which included The Artspace Gallery* www.artspace-gallery.net who held their Annual Christmas Show and Sale. And, if that wasn’t enough, Mountain Carriages gave Horse-Drawn Carriage rides with their horse named Sugar and I saw Santa.

This year’s Festival of Carols proved to be a wonderful evening for the whole family. The music, art, and variety of food with warm beverages offered enhanced the holiday spirit of all who experienced it. Many left the evening filled with delightful memories and the anticipation of next year’s festival which takes place the second Saturday of every December. Please Explore The Jacob Stroud Corporation* Website for more information about them and their upcoming events and programs. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society A Festival of Carols Gallery at myspace.com/forwardian_arts.

(*) denotes members of The Forwardian Arts Society in good standing and are considered Our Good Friends.