The first annual Sleepy Hollow Literature Fest took place during a sunny Saturday in May.
A one-day festival that brought book hungry readers and writers to the rural neighboring towns of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow; next to New York’s mighty Hudson River where the famous legend once was born. I am of course talking about Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” that next year (2020) turns 200 years old.
An excellent event for book lovers of all ages.
This day was a perfect choice for a literary festival. The sun was shining and the temperature gave us once again a sweet taste of the beautiful upcoming summer. The smiles were upon most everyone’s face and friendly conversations came close upon us as if we had been friends as long as we could remember. “Good day sir” and “How do you do ma’am?” If we closed our eyes we could might as well, despite the car sounds, be in an old story ourselves.
As we strolled along the historic streets we were holding a special map and could with excitement follow along Ichabod Crane’s path, collecting stamps to make it even more official.
To make this day even more special we met up with William Allen Jones and a few of his musical actors and crew for lunch at the always delicious Horsefeathers Restaurant. William is a composer putting on his own Sleepy Hollow musical show that is going to be something extra. We really look forward to that unique experience in October. Do not miss this opportunity.
After an amazing lunch and beyond awesome conversations, we are guided to the Tarrytown library where tents were put up for the many local and traveled authors that had brought their published work and were meeting and talking to other literature lovers.
Author of “The Subway Girls”
One of the authors and organizers of this event that we were fortunate to meet was David Neilsen known for “Beyond the Doors” and “Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom”.
We were able to ask him a few questions that we would love to share with you all who couldn’t come this time. I hope that you will enjoy it and please keep your eyes open for more fascinating events leading up to the 200th birthday of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
1. David, what was your favorite moment at the 1st annual lit festival in Sleepy Hollow?
My favorite moment had to be the Spooky Middle-Grade panel I was on with Pat Moody, Jonathan Rosen, J.A. White, and the immortal Chris Grabenstein. The five of us just had a blast together, and I, for one, was thrilled to be sitting next to Mr. Grabenstein, who is someone I really, really admire. I hope the audience enjoyed the panel as well, but really, it was just too much fun to be on it.
2. Can we expect more charming events like this, especially during the Horseman’s upcoming bicentennial year?
The villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow have put together an 18-month celebration of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (written in 1819, published more or less in 1820). The Sleepy Hollow Lit fest was the first event, but there are many others coming up including the 1st Annual Sleepy Hollow Film Festival this October, and an academic conference on Washington Irving coming up in 2020. There is also a strong possibility that we will hold the 2nd annual Sleepy Hollow Lit Fest next year! 🙂
3. How is the overall response for Washington Irving’s legend today among the younger audience you think? (Is this a good way to keep the legend alive for a generation where the book as a medium is not necessarily the only medium as for previous generations?)
Today, Irving’s Legend remains iconic. Everyone knows about Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Younger audiences enjoy the thrill of the tale but are often surprised to find so much humor sprinkled into the story. While reading the 200-year-old work of literature word-for-word may not be the easiest task for today’s generation, it has been adapted into films, television shows, radio dramas, and so much more. I, myself, do a 30-minute live performance of it for audiences during October that never fails to entertain. Everyone can connect with the sad sack character of Ichabod, and laugh at his utter cluelessness.
4. What is your hopes and dreams for the literary community’s future of Sleepy Hollow? How can someone become a part of the literary community, any helpful tips?
The literature will always have a home in Sleepy Hollow and the Hudson River Valley. There is something about this region that stirs the imagination. So many of the authors at the festival were local that as much as a celebration of literature in general, it became something of a celebration of the talent which exists right here in our neighborhood. There are plenty of ways to join this writing community. Certainly, the Hudson Valley Writer’s Center is a good place to start.
5. Just for fun, if you had the possibility to spend a day with Washington Irving, what would you do?
I would go to his house and eat. Have you read his stories? The man was always writing about amazing food. He must have set a grand table.
Bye for now & Hej då allihopa!
-Jonas & Lindsay
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