Spreading holiday spirit in the FM-Area
The s’mores stand where you could purchase kits to roast s’ mores at the fire pits.
The F-M Area’s Christkindlmarkt announced it would be back again this year and better than ever. For those of you who don’t know, the Christkindlmarkt get’s its name from the term ‘German Christmas market’ translated into German.
This event takes place annually and was held Thursday, November 21 through Sunday, November 24t at Drekker Brewhalla.
Christkindlmarkt embraces the holiday spirit with an outdoor themed winter wonderland. Local vendors were present with treats, food and handcrafted items to sell. Market-goers were met with fire pits warming the outside crisp air and a packed Brewhalla on the inside with crafts from Unglued and live music.
Due to the increase in popularity the market extended their hours this year, allowing time for everyone of all ages to attend. Drekker Brewhalla is home to Drekker beer, a local favorite (staff actually brew their beer on-site). An annual tradition for the Christkindlmarkt is to offer commemorative mugs. Every year, the notoriously popular mugs have sold out. They are always handmade by local artists, this year they were made by Hayden Swanson, who owns the store, Livin’ the Dream Pottery.
Folkways, a local blog site took testimonials from individuals attending the event, “Christkindlmarkt was a great bonding experience for my daughter and I. It gave me an opportunity to show her the excitement of being downtown during Christmas time in a festive and child-friendly environment. I look forward to bringing my kids in years to come!” Another visitor stated, “I lived in Vienna, Austria for two years and I can say unequivocally the spirit and atmosphere of the Christkindlmarkt matches the Gemuetlichkeit and festive feeling in Vienna.”
I walked into the Christmas market and was immediately greeted with a big archway made of branches adorned in Christmas lights like the pines around it. Christmas classics played from speakers around the venue and wood-burning campfires blazed around every corner. The vendors were set up in little festive sheds and the Christmas spirit was high. Drekker Brewing Company has been holding this event for three years now. Inside the brewing hall lies a quaint sweet shop, housing local bakers. I stopped at Michele’s Table for one of her baked cookies. I asked her how long she’s been a vendor at the event. “I’ve been a vendor for two years, my favorite part of the event is the excitement of all the people.”
Michele also brings authenticity to the Christmas market, “My business made German sweets. I like having the opportunity to introduce and educate people about different types of German desserts. It’s a great feeling to see people come back each year and to make new ones.”
She even explained to me how the German chocolate chip cookie I bought it differently (baking wise) then standard chocolate chip cookies and trust me, it was delicious.
Full of holiday spirit, the visitors to the Christmas market left with their stomach full of baked goods, s’ mores and cheer. The Market was a success.
The vendors for the Christkindlmarkt this year were: Triple Ax, Livin the, Dream Pottery, Jenny Sue, Modern Renewal, Authentic Embroidery, Postal, Squirrel, Becky’s Plants, Lost in Fargo, Off the Deck, Minn-dak Wood Associations and Bohemian Blu.