SAYING GOODBYE TO 2023
41st Re-Rooters Day Ceremony in Provincetown purges the worst of 2023
Cape Cod Times January 8, 2024, ZANE RAZZAQ
PROVINCETOWN — Fierce wind and snow during the year's first nor'easter did not prevent the 41st Re-Rooters Day Ceremony from happening on Sunday afternoon.
About 30 people joined performance artist Jay Critchley on the beach across from the Harbor Hotel for his annual Jan. 7 community ritual to say goodbye to the previous year. Critchley is also the CEO of the International Re-Rooters Society in Provincetown, a parody of the Internal Revenue Service.
"All I can think is that Provincetown is about 'yes,'" said Critchley to the group.
Attendees brought non-toxic items, such as old letters or photos, they wanted to leave behind in 2023 and piled them onto a small Christmas tree packed into a tiny wooden boat, which was then pushed into Provincetown Harbor and set on fire.
About 30 people joined performance artist Jay Critchley on the beach across from the Harbor Hotel for his annual Jan. 7 community ritual to say goodbye to the previous year. Critchley is also the CEO of the International Re-Rooters Society in Provincetown, a parody of the Internal Revenue Service.
"All I can think is that Provincetown is about 'yes,'" said Critchley to the group.
Attendees brought non-toxic items, such as old letters or photos, they wanted to leave behind in 2023 and piled them onto a small Christmas tree packed into a tiny wooden boat, which was then pushed into Provincetown Harbor and set on fire.
FRONT PAGE PHOTO – 41st Re-Rooters Day Ceremony in Provincetown purges the worst of 2023 Photo: Merrily Cassidy
PROVINCETOWN -- 01/07/24 -- International Re-Rooters Society (IRS) President Jay Critchley celebrates the burning tree as it tips over in the incoming tide and wind. Items and notes were placed on the tree that re-rooter attendees wanted to purge in the new year. Heavy slushy snow didn't stop the 41st Re-Rooters Day Ceremony from happening Sunday afternoon. Critchley presided over the event of purging of political and personal distress from 2023, which is held on Jan. 7 every year on the beach across the street from the Harbor Hotel Provincetown.
International Re-Rooters Society (IRS) President Jay Critchley arrives to the annual ceremony in a flurry of snow. Photo: Merrily Cassidy
Heavy slushy snow didn't stop the 41st Re-Rooters Day Ceremony from happening Sunday afternoon. Critchley presided over the event of purging of political and personal distress from 2023, which is held on Jan. 7 every year on the beach across the street from the Harbor Hotel Provincetown.
Heavy slushy snow didn't stop the 41st Re-Rooters Day Ceremony from happening Sunday afternoon. Critchley presided over the event of purging of political and personal distress from 2023, which is held on Jan. 7 every year on the beach across the street from the Harbor Hotel Provincetown.
Carbon Rapture
The theme this year was Carbon Rapture — a play on carbon capture — while the chant was "nobraC erutpuR." Critchley led the group through Christmas carols rewritten to fit the theme and asked them a series of questions, such as, "Are you a victim of weaponized loneliness?" and "Are you experiencing self-carelessness?"
The "post-Christmas, post-consumption, environmental movement" dates back to 1983 when Critchley found a pile of discarded Christmas trees at the Provincetown dump, according to his website.
"It brings the community together to celebrate who we are as a people, the land that we're on, and honor what we've been through," said Critchley.
The theme this year was Carbon Rapture — a play on carbon capture — while the chant was "nobraC erutpuR." Critchley led the group through Christmas carols rewritten to fit the theme and asked them a series of questions, such as, "Are you a victim of weaponized loneliness?" and "Are you experiencing self-carelessness?"
The "post-Christmas, post-consumption, environmental movement" dates back to 1983 when Critchley found a pile of discarded Christmas trees at the Provincetown dump, according to his website.
"It brings the community together to celebrate who we are as a people, the land that we're on, and honor what we've been through," said Critchley.
