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The Lost Legacy: Why Dearborn's Beloved Boar's Head Festival At Cherry Hill Presbyterian Is On Hiatus (And Where To Find Its Successor In 2025)

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For decades, the "Boar's Head Festival" at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church in Dearborn was not just a Christmas event; it was a transcendent, medieval spectacle that marked the true beginning of the holiday season for countless Michigan families. This beloved, costumed pageant, rich with ancient English tradition and stunning musical pageantry, was a treasured gift to the Dearborn community, often celebrating its run near the end of the year.

As of late December 2025, the original, expansive Boar's Head Festival is regrettably on hiatus at its historic home, Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church. While the church cherishes the memory of this spectacular production—which once celebrated its 50th anniversary—efforts to fully revive the massive undertaking are ongoing. However, the spirit of this cherished tradition lives on through a vibrant successor event in the heart of Dearborn, ensuring the ancient music and festive pageantry continue to ring out each Christmas season.

The Golden Age of a Dearborn Christmas Tradition

The Boar's Head Festival, as performed at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church, was a masterful blend of sacred Christmas music, elaborate costumes, and theatrical pageantry. It was a faithful recreation of a centuries-old English tradition that dates back to Queen Elizabeth I's reign, symbolically representing the triumph of Christ over sin (the "boar").

For many years, this was the highlight of the Dearborn holiday calendar. It was a massive undertaking, involving hundreds of volunteers, musicians, and performers from the local community. The sheer scale of the production is what set the Cherry Hill festival apart from others in the region.

The Key Elements That Defined the Cherry Hill Production

The festival's unique character was built upon several foundational pillars, many of which can still be heard and seen in Dearborn today:

  • Original Score: A significant part of the festival's identity was the original score composed by the talented C. Steven Errante. This music, often performed by the Cherry Hill United Presbyterian Church Choir and a dedicated Festival Orchestra, gave the pageant a distinct, professional quality that elevated it beyond a typical church service.
  • The Processional: The grand processional was the centerpiece, featuring characters like the Lord of Misrule, the Jester, the Beef Eaters, and the Boar's Head Bearer. The Cherry Hill Beef Eaters, in particular, became an iconic symbol of the local production.
  • The Pageantry: The entire event was a feast for the eyes, with elaborate medieval and Renaissance costumes, banners, and props. Key roles included the Herald, the Star Bearer, the Shepherds, the Three Kings (Magi), and the Yule Log Bearer, all converging to tell the story of the Nativity.
  • Community Gift: Crucially, the festival was presented as a "gift to the community," reflecting the church's commitment to enriching the cultural and spiritual life of Dearborn and surrounding Southeast Michigan.

The festival's run was a source of immense pride, celebrating its 50th anniversary at the church, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Dearborn Christmas traditions.

The Legacy Continues: Dearborn Holiday Choral Festival and Vanguard Voices

While the original Boar's Head Festival at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church is currently dormant, the musical and theatrical tradition it established has been successfully carried forward by another prominent Dearborn organization. For those seeking the spirit and sound of the pageant, the tradition has found a new home.

Where to Experience the Boar's Head Music Today

The musical heart of the tradition is now part of the annual Dearborn Holiday Choral Festival, a collaboration that often includes a performance of the Boar's Head music. This event is typically presented by Vanguard Voices & Brass, a Dearborn-based choral group known for their exceptional performances, directed by G. Kevin Dewey.

This successor event ensures that the beautiful Christmas carols and the pageantry's musical score remain a vital part of the area's holiday offerings. The performance frequently takes place at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, a major venue that can accommodate the scale and grandeur of the music.

The shift in venue and format reflects the challenges of sustaining an event of such magnitude within a single church setting. By partnering with organizations like Vanguard Voices, the essence of the Boar's Head Festival—the music and the celebration of the season—is preserved for a new generation of attendees in Wayne County, Michigan.

What Made the Boar's Head Festival So Special?

The enduring nostalgia for the Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church's Boar's Head Festival stems from its commitment to historical accuracy and its ability to transport the audience to a different time. It was a truly immersive experience that went far beyond a simple concert or play.

The festival was a powerful reminder of the deep, often forgotten roots of Christmas celebrations. It was an Ancient and Traditional Service of Christmas Music that utilized the church's architecture to create an atmosphere of reverence and medieval splendor. The presence of traditional characters like the Wassailers, the Mummers, and the Waits added layers of historical authenticity that captivated the audience.

For many families in Dearborn, Detroit, and surrounding communities like Fraser, MI (which hosts its own festival), attending the Cherry Hill event was a generational rite of passage. The festival's focus on the traditional Boar's Head Carol and the solemn presentation of the Yule Log connected attendees to a shared cultural heritage.

The Entities and Traditions of the Pageant

  • The Boar's Head: Symbol of the ferocious boar, a menace in medieval England, whose presentation symbolized the triumph of good over evil.
  • The Yule Log: A massive log ceremonially brought in, representing the light and warmth of the coming year.
  • The Beef Eaters: Costumed guards who provided a sense of royal protection and ceremony. The Cherry Hill Beef Eaters were a local favorite.
  • Wassailers: Singers celebrating with a traditional spiced ale drink (wassail).
  • Mummers: Traditional folk performers who acted out short, often comedic, plays.
  • The Director: G. Kevin Dewey, who continues the musical legacy with Vanguard Voices.
  • The Composer: C. Steven Errante, whose score is integral to the tradition.

While the full-scale production at Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church remains a cherished memory, the community spirit and the powerful music it championed continue to thrive through the efforts of dedicated local groups. The current Dearborn Holiday Choral Festival is the best way to connect with the living legacy of this spectacular Medieval Christmas Pageant in Southeast Michigan in 2025.

The Lost Legacy: Why Dearborn's Beloved Boar's Head Festival at Cherry Hill Presbyterian is on Hiatus (And Where to Find Its Successor in 2025)
boar's head festival cherry hill presbyterian church in dearborn
boar's head festival cherry hill presbyterian church in dearborn

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