Hogmanay is the Scottish national New Year’s festival, and this year it’s being festively celebrated at William Trent House (15 Market Street, Trenton) on Saturday, December 28, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. By the way, Hogmanay is pronounced “HOG – ma – NAY”, with accents on both the first and third syllables, and it’s used as a seasonal greeting similar to “Happy New Year.”
Hogmanay, which is held this year during Trenton’s Patriots Week between the two battle re-enactments, is a free, family-friendly event that can be part of an all day affair!
Light refreshments and holiday sweets will be served during the Open House which is beautifully embellished for the season by the Trenton Garden Club. You will also enjoy hearing live bagpipers and 18th century Scottish songs with “Liberty Tree” (Stacy Roth and Bob Dupre). Back-by-popular-demand, the esteemed Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson will entertain you with her own memories about Hogmanay in her childhood home of Scotland.
Technically, Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is usually followed by more celebration on the morning of January 1. The origins of Hogmanay are unclear, but it may be derived from Norse or Gaelic traditions. Although popular customs can vary throughout Scotland, Hogmanay typically includes gift-giving and visiting the homes of friends and neighbours, with particular interest on the first guest of the new year.
The William Trent House is located at 15 Market Street in downtown Trenton, just 3 minutes off Route 1 or Route 29. Parking is available either on William Trent Place (off Market Street) or in the adjacent parking lot. For more information, see: williamtrenthouse.org, or call (609) 989-3027.
