The holiday season is all about bringing people together, and for the last nine years, downtown Excelsior has done just that with their Christkindlsmarkt festival the weekend after Thanksgiving. More than 150 volunteers from all over the area help make the event possible each year.
“That’s how we’re able to put the event on,” says Myrle Mackenzie, who organizes the Christkindlsmarkt. “Most of the people who volunteer have been doing so for years. It’s really a community event.”
More than 40 vendors are expected to be present at this German-inspired event, selling Christmas and holiday items. There will also be gluhwein (a German-style wine), kinder cocoa, strudel, pastries and pretzels. Excelsior’s newest grocery store, Kowalski’s, will also be getting in on the festivities this year, offering a selection of bratwurst.
Mackenzie says there will be no shortage of entertainment, from riding the North Pole Trolley to petting live reindeer to watching the nightly parades. There will also be a heated Kinderworld tent, full of activities for kids, including this year’s new puppet show.
Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt
November 27-29
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
If you’re interested in getting involved and volunteering, call Myrle Mackenzie at 952.292.8898 or visit the website here.
