Historical February–March 2007 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Just one week after the crushing ice storm of ’06, the sun came out and provided fantastic weather for our Wintermarkt. Usually the West End Arts Council holds this event on the first Saturday of December, this year the date was moved to the second Saturday, December 9th.
A fortunate choice, as the great weather drew a record-sized crowd, and the vendors had record sales as well.
This year the West End Arts Council created a “Spirit of Wintermarkt Award” to recognize an outstanding vendor or booth.
The certificate was awarded to the Wimmer-Brown family of the 6100 block of Washington.
The Wimmer-Browns sold handcrafted rag dolls, candy decorations, handdipped candles, wreaths, and cotton handicrafts.
They also brought a coal-fired forge and worked with our blacksmith forging iron.
This year’s craftsperson, blacksmith Mark Wilson of Dittmer, MO., has been Technical Director the of the Repertory Theater, the Opera Theater of St. Louis, and now teaches theater crafts at St. Louis University and other venues. Mark learned to forge from his father, and enjoys keeping old-world crafts alive. Many festival attendees watched the two blacksmiths at work, and Mark let children work the bellows to fire the coals in the forge, then pick up the red-hot metal with tongs, and then mold, chase, and form the metal into hooks. Musical performers this year included Jay, Claire, and Pete of the 6000 block of Westminster, who played a variety of songs accompanied by guitars and bass.
An annual favorite, the Pikers of Washington University performed their special blend of a cappella songs with choreography.
These first two groups benefited from the sound system provided for the first time this year by neighbor Michael Holohan. Local St. Louis performers Lucky Dan and Neked Mike impressed the crowd with their collection of guitars and stringed instruments, delivering a mix of folk, blues, Christmas Carols, and even a few of their signature Beatles favorites. New to Wintermarkt this year was a kick-off even held at Joe’s Café in Bill Christman’s Studio at 6114 Kingsbury. Held on the evening before Wintermarkt, this event was created as a fundraiser for the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council.
The West End Arts council raises funds from the Wintermarkt through the sale of Ger mans t y l e foods and beverages sold in their food booth, along with baked goods donated by neighbors and businesses. Proceeds from the Wintermarkt are used by the W.E.A.C. to fund this and other events in the neighborhood, including the music for National Night Out Party each August. W.E.A.C. sponsored the ’06 Youth Band performance this past fall, and is planning a film series later this winter. W.E.A.C. is a committee of the Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council and receives support from the Regional Arts Commission.
The members of the W.E.A.C. include Katrina Stierholz, Shelly Goeble-Parker, Andy Cross, Rachel Boxdorfer, and Michelle Pike. Thanks to all our volunteers who donated baked goods, worked in the food booth, helped with setup, and in many other areas. Your help, and the collection of vendors, musicians, and festival attendees made this the best Wintermarkt ever.
Original photograph caption
Pikers of Washington U.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2007.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Joe’s Café address printed 6114 Kingsbury, differing from 6014 in previous issue; printed address retained.
Original source: SD_Times2007_02.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
