German-style mart a treat in Harmony
HARMONY — Chilly weather over the weekend wasn't the only sign of the approaching holiday season.
The borough once again was the site of the annual WeihnachtsMarkt on Saturday and Sunday.
“This is probably the biggest event for the (Harmony) museum,” said Gwen Lutz, lead organizer. “And it all started as a one-room craft show.”
The German-style Christmas market has been held for nearly two decades, Lutz said.
It attracts a number of vendors and crafters as well as live traditional music and German foods.
“Some are Christmas oriented; some are other artisans,” Lutz said of the vendors. “We have live demonstrations of crafts. We try to have a high quality in our vendors.”
The market resembles those held in Germany during the Christmas season.
That is because Harmony was founded in 1804 by pacifist German Lutheran separatists who fled militarism and religious intolerance in the Stuttgart area of what was then the Duchy of Württemberg.
Their Harmony Society became one of 19th century America's most successful communal groups and moved on to establish New Harmony, Ind., and to Economy that became Ambridge, Pa.
Lutz said the market is a great way to connect residents to the borough's historic roots.
“The entire town gets involved,” she said. “There's lots to see and do here that many people don't know about.”
Blacksmith Curt Bonetti of Renfrew was showing his traditional art at the market.
He said he has had the hobby for 28 years.
“My father-in-law had a forge,” he said. “That's what got me interested. It's been a hobby of mine ever since.”
Bonetti said he was involved when the market first started but had to stop attending due to other obligations.
“I'm glad to be back,” he said.
Dorrin Mace of Findley Township, Mercer County, was showing clocks he makes from recycled materials.Mace owns a clock repair shop on Route 58 about three miles outside Grove City.“I work there 70 hours per week then do this in my spare time,” he said.Mace uses tin and wood from houses and furniture to make clocks. He makes both large and small clocks with the materials, then makes music boxes with the smallest pieces he has left.He said the craft is a passion of his.“I think of it as a calling,” he said. “There's no stress in it. I'm so happy to be doing what I do.”Nick Prater of Harmony said the old fashioned crafts and German traditions were interesting to see.“I love it,” he said, walking through the crowds with his wife, Melinda, and their 7-month-old daughter, Lily.The Praters moved to Harmony two years ago.“It's such a cool little town,” he said. “It's great they have things like this to celebrate its history.”Prater said he also appreciated that the market brings visitors from out of town to see the borough's small businesses.Dawn Kazokas was one of the out-of-towners at the market. She traveled from Western Massachusetts to visit her friend Mary Davis of Harmony.“I came down and the first thing I saw was a big wagon that says 'There's always something to do in Butler County,'” Kazokas said, referencing the county's convention and tourism bureau's wagon. “I guess it's right.”Kazokas said she was happy her trip corresponded with the market.“It's really nice to see towns do something like this,” she said.Davis agreed: “It's always worth it to get to historic Harmony. The town is doing so much to resurrect itself.”
