Historical November–December 2011 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
This year’s Wintermarkt will be Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Greg Freeman Park (Four Corners Park) at Kingsbury and Des Peres.
As with the traditional German Christkindlmarkt, from which the idea for Wintermarkt came, food and vendors are the staples. One favorite German and neighborhood tradition— for the adults—is Glü hwein, a warm spicy drink popular during the winter holidays. And of course, roasted chestnuts will be back again this year.“When I was kid we used to stick them in our pockets to keep our hands warm,” Andy Cross said. “We didn’t know we could eat them.” This year’s Wintermarkt is hoping to see the return of many of its regular vendors and entertainers while also welcoming new faces, especially the children, Katrina Stierholz, president of the community council explained.“Neighbors often have their own arts and crafts they like to share,” Stierholz said. “Children can even have their own booth. Children can be incredibly entrepreneurial and very talented.” Indeed, past Wintermarkts have seen children being rather successful at selling homemade bookmarks, candles and other sorts. Children also have some favorite adult vendors, including Joy Stingers, the honeycomb lady. “She makes use of everything,” Stierholz said. “It’s crafty and homey, it has that touch of artistry, that’s what Wintermarkt is about.” “But what people love the most is the honey she sells,” Cross said.
Another popular vendor/entertainer with the children is the blacksmith.
There have been several different blacksmiths who have shown kids the skill in the past, but all have willingly given children a hands-on opportunity in a trade most will never experience otherwise.“All of the blacksmiths have let the kids heat the metal up in the forge, pull the metal out and hammer it on an anvil,” Cross said. Though many children look forward to presents around the holidays, our neighborhood’s annual Wintermarkt can help give children another experience, one of hard work, tradition and neighborly cheer. Andy Cross, a member of the Wintermarkt planning committee, explained that the performances planned for this year will provide kids the chance to hear some of the more traditional echoes, along with their favorite pop music.
The St. Roch’s Chimers are a neighborhood favorite, providing a holiday sound that has been popular for over half a century.“It is such a beautifully rich, mellow sound. People often stop what they’re doing just to listen, even the children enjoy them,” Cross said. Three a cappella groups from Washington University will also perform, including The Pikers.“They’re sort of the class clown group of a cappella groups at Wash U,” Cross said. “They are just very different and entertaining.” Wintermarkt provides volunteer opportunities for children also.“They can do service hours, taking warm drinks to the vendors or keeping the area tidy during the event.
It depends on the kid,” Stierholz said.
If you or your child is interested in having a booth or volunteering for Wintermarkt, contact Jessica Eiland, administrative coordinator, at jessica. eiland@skinker-debaliviere.com.
The security deposit fee is $25 for adults and $10 for children. Vendors are also required to give 10 percent of their profit to the community council, with the deposit going toward the 10 percent, Stierholz explained.
Original photograph caption
Children at Wintermarkt. Descriptive caption supplied; no photographer credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2011.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2011_11.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
