By Joanne Kleinle
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It is not just the chestnuts roasting on the open fire or Jack Frost nipping at your nose that is getting us into the holiday spirit. The German Christmas Market is coming to town! From Friday, December 1st through Sunday, December 3rd, the Sussex County Fairgrounds will be transformed into an Alpine village bursting with local artisans selling their wares, festive entertainment, and lots of hearty food and drink to ward off the chill. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, this is the perfect way for any family to kick off the holiday season.
So many of the holiday traditions that are held dear all over the world- from decorating Christmas trees with ornaments and tinsel to using Advent calendars and singing Silent Night-originated in Germany. Even dear old Santa Claus made his first appearance there! The traditional Weihnachtsmarkts-or Christmas markets- that are found throughout Germany leading up to Christmas embody the flavors, traditions, sights, and sounds of the season. In 2001, a handful of dedicated volunteers had a vision. They wanted to bring one of these traditional Christmas markets to life in Sussex County and the German Christmas Market of New Jersey was born on the boardwalk of Lake Mohawk in Sparta. It has grown every year since with more vendors, more food, and more entertainment. For the past three years, it has been held in the Sussex County Fairgrounds.
There is something for everyone at the German Christmas Market. As soon as you walk onto the grounds, you are transported to a winter wonderland. Music fills the air together with the smells of warm inviting food. The beautiful hills of Sussex County are the backdrop for the traditional small wooden red and white huts that are reminiscent of the markets that are held every year in most German villages and attract tourists from around the globe.
The German Christmas Market hosts over 150 vendors who are each carefully vetted by the committee for quality and to make sure that there is not overly duplicative merchandise. Many of the vendors offer imported goods from Europe that cannot be found anywhere else like the vendor with pottery from Spain. Some vendors offer handmade goods like the local artist who sells wood-carved furniture.
If shopping is not your thing, there is still so much to see and do at the German Christmas Market. You can wrap yourself in a blanket and hop on a horse-drawn carriage. Be sure to visit the enormous display hosted by the Pocono Mountain Railway Club. This impressive exhibit of model trains fills an entire room and will transport even the most jaded adult into the magical world of the Polar Express.
For children, there are pony rides and a petting zoo. This year, for the first time, there will be a carousel for kids of all ages to enjoy. Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to return so it is a great opportunity to get that holiday card photo. Mrs. Claus and her elves will be riding around the market and will host a storytime for the kids.
There is a wide range of entertainment from local and professional musicians in the Performance Hall throughout all three days. Check out the entertainment schedule on the website for more information.
The German Christmas Market is still 100% run by a committed band of volunteers. It is a nonprofit foundation with the express purpose of creating a community event that celebrates the Christmas holiday and raises funds to give back to the community. Since its inception, it has donated almost half a million dollars to local charities! In the spirit of the season, you can know that your support of the event will help those in need in our local community.
Check out the website at www.germanchristmasmarketnj.org for more information on vendors, events and schedules. It will be open Friday (12/1) and Saturday (12/2) from 10 am -9 pm and Sunday (12/3) from 10 am-5 pm. Come and see why, since 2013, NJ.com has rated The German Christmas Market as one of the Top 10 Things to Do in December and have yourself a merry little Christmas!!
