The Sea Cliff Arts Council is teaming up with local businesses for the third annual Wassail Day on Dec. 15, inviting residents to walk through the village, explore local shops, and sample various takes on the traditional holiday drink.
Wassail is a beverage made from hot cider that was made from the ancient tradition of Wassailing, which is an ancient English ritual where people would go door to door and try the different version of the drink, to wish good harvest for the following year. David Keenan, the organizer of Wassail Day in Sea Cliff, said he learned of the tradition while on a trip and thought it would be a great thing to bring to the community.
“My wife and I were in Colorado when we learned about their Wassail walk, which was a week-long version of the event where everyone would get a mug and walk the streets and try all of the different kinds of Wassail,” Keenan said. “Many businesses participated and at the end of the week people would vote for their favorite, and I just thought that tradition would be great to bring to Sea Cliff.”
This will be the third year that the event will be taking place in Sea Cliff with 14 stores in the community agreeing to participate. Keenan said that the event has grown every year in popularity and expects this year to follow the trend.
“It has been successful so far, this will be our third year doing it and last year even though it was pouring rain we still sold out on tickets,” Keenan said. “Every year we like to add something new this year a couple of kids said they wanted to be caroling during the event so they will be walking around singing songs this year.”
Residents will start at the Arts Council and get a custom mug by artist Allan Klein, and a map of the town where they can then go and try the various different types of Wassails. By the end of the day residents will be voting on their favorite version of the drink for cash prizes.
“There are thousands of ways to make Wassail which is why I think everyone loves it so much everyone can make their own recipes and have fun with it,” Keenan said. “Some people use fruit, cinnamon, raisins, cranberries, and the wine store even does a spiked version for adults to enjoy.”
The event will lead into the Sea Cliff holiday parade and the lighting of the menorah and Christmas Tree. Keenan elaborated on the success of the event, saying he loves seeing the community come together for the holidays.
“Sea Cliff lends itself to this type of event, they have main street for everyone to roam and enjoy the local businesses, the view of the water and the beautiful tree lighting that happens afterward,” Keenan explained. “I think people like strolling the town and it’s a fun thing, to see everyone pop in and out of the mom-and-pop stores in the neighborhood and have everyone connect for the holidays.”
For tickets to this year’s Wassail Day, visit the Arts Councils website at seacliffartscouncil.org.
