Over $18,000 Raised For the Bronxville Christmas Pageant

Bronxville Christmas pageants organizers and fans have reason to start celebrating early: Over $18,000 has been raised for the pageant in this year's fundraising drive so far, helping to keep the almost century-old tradition going strong.

"We are so grateful for this record response from the community," said Susanne Shoemaker, co-chair of the pageant, in a press release. "It insures that the annual Christmas Pageant will remain solvent and continue to be a highlight of Village Christmas celebrations. Our fundraising effort this year has exceeded our expectations."

Earlier this year, Patch how recent rising costs and fewer donations would make it tough—if not impossible—to continue staging the production.

"We have to set up and build the crèche, hire musicians, and hire electricians to do the wiring," Susanne Shoemaker, chairwoman of the Village Pageant told Patch back in November.

"Unless we receive sufficient donations to insure continuance, this year's Pageant could be our last," she said. 

The pageant committee began its yearly fundraising initiative—and Bronxville residents responded.

"The committee may now afford long overdue costume repair and costume replacement; electrical re-wiring on the hillside; transfer of data from slide carousel to DVD; updating of historical records and documents including photography; but mainly, the annual event itself will continue," said Shoemaker.

According to Shoemaker, upwards of 3,000 people have been known to gather on the Reformed Church lawn for the show, with crowd size largely dependent on the weather. Temps for this Friday are expected to be in the mid-30s, with little chance of rain or snow, which may make for a good turnout.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the pageant features a cast and crew of 35, including various members of the community. According to Shoemaker, the show stars Community Fund president Fred Taylor as Joseph, BHS senior Devon Gay as Mary, fourth grader Honore Hodnett as the Manger Angel and residents Tim McGrath and David Walker, along with Bronxville Board of Ed president Jim Hudson as the Three Wise Men. 

Those who'd love to participate in the Invisible Choir (no experience necessary, says Shoemaker), which is headed by Mary Anne Palermo, are invited to join in singing the Gloria in Excelsis. Just head to the top of the hill, behind the crèche and into the cloister area at 5:15 p.m., Shoemaker explained.

The Wakefield Brass Quartet will provide music, a live donkey—that kids are can pet after the show—will be on hand and seven local church ministers are doing readings, according to Shoemaker.

Shoemaker and her husband Paul have been running the pageant for almost 15 years, taking over after another local couple, the Sanfords, moved out of state.

"I like it because I feel like otherwise I would just be running off to the mall or be more wrapped up in the material aspects of Christmas," Shoemaker said.

Want to know how the tradition started? Stay tuned for tomorrow, when Patch brings you a history of the pageant.