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Seasonal Harmonies Resonate in Rural New York
In a unique twist on holiday traditions, every December, groups of singers visit a dairy farm in New York to perform seasonal songs for the cattle. The Churchtown Dairy in Claverack, New York, has become a hub for this unusual festivity, attracting scores of vocalists.
A Farm Turns into a Festive Concert Venue
Photographed by Alexandra Genova, this event took place on December 19, 2023, as reported by Arielle Gordon. Approximately 200 participants started singing “The Friendly Beasts,” a well-known Christmas carol, when an amusing scene unfolded. Below the balcony, in the expansive dome-shaped barn, a couple of dairy cows engaged in a playful tussle, much to the delight of a young spectator. This lighthearted interaction among the cows appeared to be their own way of joining in the holiday festivities.
Churchtown Dairy, a regular host of this Christmastime event, welcomes its 28 cattle into the grand, cathedral-like barn for the winter. This tradition, which began ten years ago as a small gathering for the farm staff and their families, has now blossomed into a much-anticipated annual event. It draws both local residents and visitors from afar to the farm’s vast 250-acre land.
This year’s caroling sessions were highly anticipated, with registration slots filling rapidly within hours of their announcement online. The event’s growing fame, partly attributed to a post on Instagram, led to a surge in interest, causing some disappointment among those unable to secure a spot.
Such events underscore the unique ways communities come together during the holiday season, finding joy and connection in the most unexpected of settings. The tradition at Churchtown Dairy not only offers a platform for communal singing but also highlights the farm’s commitment to celebrating its bovine residents in a heartwarming, festive manner.
