Rain fails to dampen Christkindlmarket spirts

While the rain kept most residents off the sidewalks for the Christmas parade, every porch on each house along the parade route was packed with cheering people and barking dogs. The shiny blue fire engines of the Walkersville Fire department led the parade through town with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Many local organizations participated in the parade. The Boy Scouts proudly marched through town, and the Girl Scouts dressed in holiday pj’s cheered to the crowds. A large group of Brownies rode through town in the rear of a pick-up truck decorated for the holidays. The library staff, dressed as reindeer, ushered St. Nick and his elf, Heidi, into town.

This year, the Walkersville Library, Historical Society, and Walkersville Feed Company joined Glade United Church of Christ and St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church to hold the annual holiday event.

The historical churches and library provided space for twenty local artisans and vendors to sell their crafts and wares while providing a venue for performers to share holiday shows and talents. Parishioners opened their doors to the decorated churches and offered homemade food and treats.

The Walkersville Historical Society building received a steady flow of visitors seeking insights into the town’s history or procuring one-of-a-kind gifts related to local history.

But for kids of all ages, the place to visit was the library. Mrs. Clause entertained the gaggle of bright-eyed children with stories from the North Pole, and when St. Nick finally arrived, only the brave at heart pondered, standing in the way of the resulting stampede of children eager to be the first to sit on St. Nick’s lap. Library staff masterfully orchestrated a photo venue that allowed more than one hundred children to speak with St. Nick and the parents to snap a memorable photo.

Outside the library, a miniature pony affiliated with the Days End Horse and Rescue Farm served as a stand-in for Santa’s little helper. Adorned with a reindeer headdress, the pony eagerly greeted every carrot offered his way – in return, to squeals of delight, he nuzzled and licked the face of every pint-size human.

Music filled the venues provided by students of the Walkersville High School String and Bass Quartet. In addition, student violinist, Jake McNish presented solo performances of traditional holiday songs. To get things moving, dancers with Sharon’s School of Dance demonstrated several holiday-inspired dances.

In 2017, five community members formed a committee with a mission to organize and manage a Christkindlmarket event in the heart of Old Town to pay homage to Walkersville’s Germanic history. The concept was accepted into the Town’s 125th-anniversary celebrations as over two-dozen local artisans and businesses got involved. After immense support in their first year, the committee decided to launch the Christkindlmarket as an annual event.

Bonnie Leins with the Walkersville Christkindlmarket Committee noted, "the community and beyond have well received the Annual Walkersville Christkindlmarket. A small committee initiates the Walkersville Christkindlmarket, but it takes a community to share their time, talents, and gifts to bring the event to fruition." Please join us next year, Saturday, December 2nd for the 6th Annual Walkersville Christkindlmarket.