Christkindlmarkt
pamelamyers | November 25, 2017
Today we tried something new for Christmas – we went to Bethlehem to the Christkindlmarkt. It has apparently being going strong for 25 years but I’ve only really become aware of it in the last few. We always say we are going to go, and we never do. Well, this year, we went! The idea is supposed to be like the German Christmas markets, and it was really nice, but it can’t compare to being in Germany at Christmastime.
The market is held at what is called the Steel Stacks, once the home plant of Bethlehem Steel. Like the other steel mills in this country, it is no longer functioning, but it is an amazing location! If you would like to know more about it, I would highly recommend clicking this link.
I had to wait in the will call line for our tickets, so Sam and Mark went to check out the plant.
It is really unbelievable to look at. Imaging what it would have been to work there is hard. What a difficult job, and a difficult life those men had.
But on to the fun! Our favorite tent was full of the “artisan” vendors. We found a woodworker who was there just making custom tops for kids all day. He makes it right in front of them, and the kids get to pick their own colors. Sam was entranced! When Mark said let’s go to the “top store” she thought it was just a place to buy tops. What a surprise!
Sam picked pink and purple (not orange, surprisingly!)
When we went outside, the ice carver was just setting up. Sam couldn’t wait to see how anyone can sculpt with a chainsaw out of ice!
It took a while, but he finally finished. The guy didn’t talk at all, but we think this one is an elf hat on it’s side.
Here are some of the other things he made that day. It’s pretty cool.
Inside, near St. Nick, there were trees decorated with Peeps decorations. Sam loved them! She loves the Peeps.
The weather could not have been better for strolling around, and we managed to get some cute pictures, as we always seem to do!
Sam loved being able to sit on the actual steel beam. At least she really did get where we were and what all of that meant.
There was a Käthe Wohlfahrt store there just like in Germany. We have a ton of ornaments we bought in Germany, and of course, wound up coming home with more. This huge nutcracker was outside and Sam needed a photo with the big guy.
Before we left, we all went up the 71 steps (yes, Sam made me count) to view the entire Steel Stacks experience. I am glad we did. It is something I didn’t know was there, but am glad to have seen. The market was a lot of fun. Not something we’d necessarily trek to Bethlehem to do every year, but well worth the ride!
