Christkindlmarket moves to Dennison

Tuscarawas County’s premiere Christmas event, the Christkindlmarket, will move to Dennison this year as organizers strive to add more activities to the schedule. The event, sponsored by the Uhrichsville Farmers Market, is scheduled for Nov. 23 from noon to 8 p.m. at North Fourth Street in Dennison.

The move will add ice skating to the activities, and the event will compliment Dennison’s initiative to become a Christmas holiday destination.

“They go big for Christmas,” said Whitney Manson, one of the event’s organizers. “They have Light Up Dennison — I think they’ve done it for several years now, and it keeps getting bigger — plus the ice skating rink and the Twin City Holiday Parade. It made sense to move the Christkindlmarket to Dennison.”

The Dennison Depot Railroad Museum also goes all out for the Christmas holiday with decorations and Polar Express train rides the first two weekends of December.

Dennison has embraced the event. Mayor Greg DiDonato was able to secure six sheds to use at the Christkindlmarket. The sheds will belong to the village and be used for other events too.

The Christkindlmarket is part of Dennison’s 50 Days of Christmas calendar with events starting in November and leading up to the holiday.

Downtown Dennison businesses will participate.

“They were so gracious when we requested to have them involved and very excited to be a part of the Christkindlmarket experience,” Manson said. “I think that this whole process of planning the Christkindlmarket has really been magical.”

Guests will experience that special atmosphere when they visit the event.

“I truly believe — and so do our board members — that you will feel that when you come to the Christkindlmarket. You will feel the magic,” Manson said. “It’s going to be a magical time to submerse yourself in the event and kick off the festivities of the holiday season.”

There will be more activities for children this year with activities on North Fourth Street and in the downtown area. They have created an interactive newspaper, the first edition of the Christkindl Chronicle, which will promote a scavenger hunt. S’mores will be available.

A beer garden will be staffed by volunteers whose tips will go back to the school they support. Commemorative totes and mugs are available.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how much it can grow from last year,” said Laura Gray, event organizer. “I’m looking forward to all of the wonderful volunteers and just the strong sense of community that comes out of such a festive day like the Christkindlmarket.”

Vendors include Michael’s Confections, Quince Bakery, Angel Family Farms, Rainbow Rhapsody Candy, Pindrop Shop, Bosler’s Honeybees, Ginger’s Bakery, Sara & Sybil, Sister & Co., Ashley A. Crochet, Red’s By Design, Healer’s Mark, Wandering Empress, Camp the Backyard, Sunbow 57 Girls, OC Leather, Evalynn’s Eclectic Finds, Little Birdie Design Studio, Mimi’s Homemade Fudge, A. Rose Pottery, Rooted in Nature, Sunshine By My Design, Buckeye Kettlecorn Company, Suga & Creme Enhancements, Amber Rose Designs, April Showers Soap Co., Redline Ranch Feed & Supply, Olivia’s Custom Creations, Ten Cat Farm, Moravian Trail Co., Branch and Vine Co., Not Your Grandma’s Apple Butter, Baltic Mill Winery, Sweet & Sour Co., Yummy Pita, TCBBQ, and Wrapped in Dough.

Activities include Breakfast with the Grinch at Over the Rail Diner from 8-11 a.m., face painting at Dennison Yard from 1-3 p.m., Santa’s Reindeer at Pangrazio’s Pizza from noon to 4 p.m., Dennison Depot Museum Free Community Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., PYO Ornament with Olde Warehouse Ceramics at Dennison Branch Library from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Cookie Decorating at Timi’s Twin City Cafe from noon to 8 p.m., and the MHS Hardware Coloring Contest from noon to 3 p.m.

Market area activities include Santa and Mrs. Claus from noon to 3 p.m., Santa from 4:30-6:30 p.m., horse-drawn carriage rides from 4:30-6:30 p.m., trackless train rides from 4-7 p.m., and bonfires, city green scape, ice skating and letters to Santa from noon to 8 p.m.

Performances include Philharmonic Children’s Chorus at 1:30 p.m., Indian Valley High School Test 31 and Cloud 9 at 2 p.m., Tuscarawas Central Catholic Saints Percussion at 3:30 p.m., Melody and Motion School of Performing Arts at 4 p.m., and the Waterford Players and Claymont High School Drama Club singing carols throughout the event.

Professional musical performances include Nic Bonner from noon to 2 p.m., Potluck Duo from 3:30-5:30 p.m., Emmy Rae from 2-3:30 p.m. and Zac Rusk from 5:30-8 p.m.