Sinterklaas cancelled for 2024; organizer cites budget, loss of volunteers as cause

Sinterklaas, the seasonal non-denominational Dutch-inspired celebration, has been cancelled for 2024.

Founder and event organizer Jeanne Flemming cited “a significant budget deficit from the 2023 event” as well as the loss of key volunteers, including her husband, Harlan Matthews, “a Grumpus extraordinaire,” who died in April.

“Sinterklaas 2024 is presenting many challenges,” Fleming said in a statement. “There continues to be a significant budget deficit from the 2023 event (donations are still being accepted!). Key volunteers have been lost, including Lindy Wright (who died in May 2024) who managed many components of Sinterklaas and Harlan Matthews (who died in April 2024), a Grumpus extraordinaire and the husband of Jeanne Fleming. Several other important event volunteers and artists have recently retired and Sinterklaas is assessing other Village concerns.”

“These challenges have led the Sinterklaas planning committee, along with officials from the Village of Rhinebeck, to question whether this much beloved tradition can take place this year,” Fleming added. “The Village has supported this event and recognizes its unique and wonderful celebration of children and the Arts. They realize the impact it has on our community and will work with the Sinterklaas team to review and plan for the future. From deep within their hearts, the planning committee has been asking themselves if they could pull a rabbit out of the hat to make it happen. To do that, many significant issues need to be resolved and to that end, at this time, the Sinterklaas team and the Village have decided that Sinterklaas will not take place this year in order to provide the time to reach out, rethink and reimagine. Sinterklaas hopes to be back soon and thanks everyone for their steadfast support over these many years.”

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