Christmas Market brings German theme to Harmony
HARMONY — The Harmony Museum and dozens of regional artisans are getting ready for the WeihnachtsMarkt German-style Christmas Market this weekend.
The celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
This holiday season staple attracts thousands of visitors for shopping and family-friendly activities with German entertainment and food, refreshments and thousands of handmade craft items for sale.
“Harmony was founded in 1804 by German Lutheran Separatists,” said Gwen Lutz, event organizer and vice president of the Harmony Museum. “They fled religious intolerance in the Duchy of Württemberg surrounding Stuttgart, Germany. Their Harmony Society became one of 19th century America's most successful communal groups.”
About 50 specialty vendors and traditional crafters were chosen to participate in this year's WeihnachtsMarkt. Their wares include wood carvings and other woodcrafts; jewelry and metal ware; artwork; antique maps, foodstuffs such as roasted nuts, pretzels, candies, mustards, jams and teas; pottery, glass and stained glass; fiber goods; clocks; leather goods; soaps and lotions; candles; dolls and toys; baskets; Christmas ornaments, decorations and holiday items; furniture; and birdhouses.
Visitors also can observe the museum's volunteer quilters, spinners and weavers at work and sample regionally produced wine and whiskey.A crafts tent offers activities for children and a way for youngsters to write a personal note to be mailed to Santa Claus at the Museum Shop/Village Post Office.Visitors on Saturday are encouraged to join in singing carols as the museum's Christmas tree is lighted at 5:30 p.m.Also featured this year will be three train displays, Lutz said.Admission provides all-day access to the market, entertainment, the museum and horse-drawn wagon rides in the National Historic Landmark district. Proceeds support museum operations.
