By Dan Murphy
Every year in the Town of North Castle, a holiday tradition celebrating the birthplace of Frosty the Snowman is held. In the Westchester villagehamlet of Armonk, a parade is held to commemorate the fact that the famous story, and movie that most of us over the age of 50 watched again and again during each holiday season on television, hails from Westchester.
The lyricist of the winter holiday classic, Steve Nelson, was a frequent visitor to Armonk after World War II from his home in nearby White Plains. In 1950, he wrote the song’s lyrics, which he put to Jack Rollins’ music; it was the same year that he was looking for land in Armonk on which to build his new home. Gene Autry recorded the song that year, making it an instant classic, following his earlier hit of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Two years later, Nelson moved his young family to Armonk, where he lived until his death in 1981. In 1957, “Frosty the Snowman” was recorded again by Perry Como, solidifying it as a perennial song of the season. This success was followed by an animated version in 1969, now seen annually on TV.
Located in the Town of North Castle, Armonk’s historic district is the “Village Square” mentioned in the song’s lyrics where Frosty dared the children to “catch me if you can.”
With the opening last spring of Armonk Square, “the town has another opportunity for Frosty to have even more fun with the kids,” said Ed Woodyard, a longtime organizer of the townwide holiday event commemorating Frosty. Lifelong Armonk resident and town Councilwoman Barbara DiGiacinto said: “It was pretty much common knowledge that Mr. Nelson had Armonk in mind when he wrote the song. (As a) matter of fact, the traffic cop in the song who hollered ‘Stop!’ to Frosty was said to be based on the town’s former Chief of Police John Hergenhan, who just happened to be my uncle.”
During the holidays, where several religions are symbolized in civic and educational settings, Frosty the Snowman remains a symbol of the fun and excitement of the winter season. Woodyard noted: “Frosty reminds people of the magic to be found during this time of year, for young and old alike. The only thing that Frosty believes in is kids.”
Events and activities will be held for three hours around town before the parade, which will travel north on Main Street to Maple Avenue, and then to Wampus Brook Park. Everyone is part of the parade, joining at the end to help welcome Frosty home for the holidays. “Frosty Day is an event the town looks forward to every year,” said Robby Morris, a local businessman and board member of Friends of Frosty.
“The whole town comes out for it. Just about every group in town is involved somehow, from the Town of North Castle to the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, from the religious institutions to the schools, from the sports and youth groups to volunteer organizations. It is a great time for everyone to come together and have some fun.” Friends of Frosty, Inc., a non-profit group of volunteers formed to oversee the day’s events, encourages visitors to Armonk to contribute to its “Help Frosty Help Others” campaign, which includes collecting outdoor jackets and gear as part of its Winter Warmth project, as well as donating to the Frosty jars that are found around town at shops and restaurants.
Almost every business, shop and merchant in Armonk is involved somehow in Frosty Day, which this year was held Nov. 25. For more information, visit www.ArmonkFrosty.com.
