The Queens County Farm Museum will be holding its third annual live reading of O. Henry’s classic holiday story “The Gift of the Magi” Dec. 17. While attendance is free for the live reading, which is scheduled to run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the Queens County Farm Museum encourages people to make reservations to ensure a spot.
Queens Farm’s The Gift of the Magi event brings a festive family-friendly program for people of all ages to enjoy during the holiday season. Hot chocolate will be available for attendees of the live reading as a means of complementing the brisk winter air. Visitors are welcome to bring chairs and blankets to supplement provided seating on the farm.
While visiting the farm, guests can also pick out Christmas trees, wreaths and gifts at the Queens Farm Holiday Market. An assortment of Balsam and Fraser Fir trees, wreaths, garlands, poinsettias and more will be available. Locally sourced gifts like Queens Farm honey, yarn from the farm’s sheep, farm-grown herbal tea and Queens Farm merch like tote bags, tees and headwear will also be available for purchase in the Farm Store. Additionally, the shop will have local soaps, soy and beeswax candles, pickles, hot sauce, maple syrup, books, toys, stationery, DIY and gardening gifts and artisan-made scarves by Matthew Yanchuk of Mayware featuring wool from the farm.
First published in 1905 by O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi” follows struggling newlyweds who each sell the one thing the other holds most dear in order to get Christmas presents for each other. O. Henry wrote the story in New York City’s Pete’s Tavern, which now operates as the city’s longest continually operated bar and restaurant.
At the time that O. Henry penned the story, more than 35% of Queens County was being used for agriculture. The Queens County Farm, owned by the Stattel family, was the second largest farm in Queens based on size but it was the highest-producing farm based on dollar value.
Actor Kevin R. Free will be returning to the Queens County Farm Museum to perform the live reading once again this year. An accomplished voice actor, Free has contributed to more than 450 audiobooks, audio dramas and podcasts. He is also the Artistic Director of Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken, New Jersey.
“The Gift of the Magi brings a timeless magic to the holidays with its tender reminder that there is no greater gift than love,” Queens County Farm Museum Executive Director Jennifer Walden Weprin said. “Even though it was written over a century ago, its message is as true today as it ever was. Kevin Free brings the tale to life with his spirited performance that mixes story time with outdoor theater in this bucolic farm setting. The experience is unlike any other in NYC!”
Located at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. in Floral Park, the farm will be open Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the grounds, feed the animals, hop on a hayride and shop for the holidays during their visit. The Queens County Farm Museum also encourages guests to drop off healthful, packaged, nonperishable foods to support Queens Farm’s Food Drive supporting CUNY students.
