By Kathy Feist
The national magazine, Taste of Home, recently named Brookside’s annual Kristkindl Markt the Best Christmas Market in the state of Kansas.
The geography may be off a bit, but the honor remains.
“We’ll take it!” says event co-chairman Randall Penn. “We’ve struggled to get it.”
“It’s nice to have our name out there,” chimed in co-chairwoman Jenna Gredeman.
To anyone who has visited the Annual Kristkindl Markt hosted by the Kansas City United Church of Christ, 205 W. 65 St., the recognition comes as no surprise. The German-inspired Kristkindl Markt and Food Fest easily captures the magic and charm found at European Christmas markets.
This year, Kristkindl Markt will be held Friday, December 6, 5-9 pm, and Saturday, December 7, 10 am – 7 pm. Authentic German faire, live music, vendors, Christmas cookies, and hundreds of gingerbread houses for decoration fill the church’s fellowship hall. A German-language Christmas service is thrown in for good measure. And Father Christmas reigns over the festivities at a convenient photo display.
Around 3000 to 5000 participants are expected.
The congregation’s first Kristkindl Markt was held in 1993, when the church was then known as the Country Club United Church of Christ. Rev. Rodger Kube had returned from a visit to Germany years earlier and was excited by the idea of recreating the outdoor Christmas street fair. Filled with food, music, crafts, and decoration, he felt it would be a big attraction and fundraiser.
Initially held primarily outdoors, the event moved inside in 2009.
Each year has added a new twist to the event thanks to new volunteers and leadership.
After Penn became involved in 2008, he contributed his architectural and artistic talent. “I wanted to create the feel of strolling down the street of a German village,” he recalls. He painted large pictures of Old World buildings on muslin material and hung them on the walls. The cartoon-like murals add to the festive atmosphere.
Theresa Hall, a volunteer from the beginning, oversees the gingerbread house crafts. After a disastrous experience with quickly dissolving gingerbread houses prepared by children, Hall decided to use small milk cartons for solid backing. Today, as many as 800 cartons are pasted with graham crackers and frosting thanks to the help of students from Shawnee Mission East High School. On the day of the event, children head to the basement to decorate the houses with candy and treats. A donated fee is shared with Operation Breakthrough.
Back upstairs, an extensive menu of German food is dished out to a line of customers. This year the choices include bratwursts, pork loin, cabbage rolls, cheese soup, sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, spaetzle, pretzels, and slices of apple strudel. For children, there are hot dogs and chips, and the option of spaetzle combined with cheese soup for an impromptu mac and cheese dish.
Beer, soda, mulled wine and water are also available.
Diners sit in the decorated social hall, or Bier Garten, to listen to live music. Entertainment may include polka bands, church choir, the Alpen Spielers (think Ricola commercials), and the German-speaking Liederkranz Singers. Oftentimes, dancing ensues. This year adds special guests reading from popular Christmas stories.
The European-styled Father Christmas can be found roaming the halls, but is designated to a room for photo selfies.
Other rooms in the church are filled with vendors selling handmade crafts or retail items, such as jewelry, purses, candles, art, Chiefs mementos, etc. One room features a flea market providing used Christmas decorations for the buyer’s price. Another room has homemade cookies sold by the pound.
On Saturday, from 4-5 pm, a German-language Christmas service is held in the church.
Admission is free. There are varying costs for the food and beverages. For more information, visit Kristkindl Markt Facebook or Instagram pages.