I’m not a big Christmas person, it kind of screws up my schedule and it’s just a stressful time and I'm usually relieved on January 2nd when all the hoopla is over for another year. I do however enjoy some of the festivities and parties that this time of year brings, so on that note, I thought it would be fun to check out the annual, Kristkindlmarkt at The Lindenhof that happened last Saturday and Sunday. I’ve never been to this and I’ve heard it’s a fun holiday event with vendors, entertainment, holiday decorations, beer and brats. And yes, my interests lay mostly into the last two entries, so let’s head over to The Lindenhof and see what’s happening at the Kristkindlmarkt!
As you can see from the sign, this is the eighth annual Kristkindlmarkt held here at The Lindenhof in Pioneer Park. The Lindenhof is owned by the Peoria German American Society and they have Friday dinners open to the public and they use it for events like this one that's happening today.
Before I went in, I met Jeffrey Pulfer outside. He’s the chairman for this event and the Media Manager for the German American Society. That’s also him in the picture below all decked out in his Old World Father Christmas A.K.A. Weihnachtsmann outfit. The event is free to the public and if you missed last weekend’s, there’s another one on December 9th and 10th.
Let’s go through the entrance and take a look around in here. As you can see there’s some outside vendors and they lucked out as it was unseasonably warm last Sunday! Inside it’s very festive and crowded! Jeffery told me that this weekend has been the busiest time for the annual Kristkindlmarkt that they’ve ever had.
People
I met some new people and ran into some friends as well and here they are: 1. This is Anna Lawson who was playing the role of Kristkindl who is the German giver of gifts. She had a basket of candy canes she was handing out but I told her I was going to pass on that. Maybe next year they can let her give out shots of Schnapps! 2. This guy is usually behind the camera, but got a shot of him in between photos. This is Matt Dayhoff who’s a staff photographer from the PJ Star and you can see the photos he took right here. 3. That’s Stacy and her son who were browsing outside at the vendors table. I first met Stacy when I did a post from the One Eleven Coffee Shop she co-owns in Wyoming, Illinois and you can see that post here. Great to see her again! 4. These are members of the Peoria Accordion Club who were providing some nice German music for the event. 5. That’s me with Cindy who’s also known as Mrs. Claus. I told her to tell Santa I’ve been a very good boy this year even though that’s not entirely true! 6. I didn’t get the name of this couple but they looked so great in their German outfits I had to snap a photo!
Vendor Spotlight: Alluvian
This is John Cowan who owns the Alluvian grooming products company that is based here in Peoria. He formed the company in 2015 and it has become very successful. He told me that the distribution is not only nationwide but they just got distribution in Denmark, so they’re now international! All of the products offered from Alluvian are 100% plastic free and organic. You can read more about the company and their products right here. All the design and branding for the company are also done locally by De Ingles of Smiley Graphix.
Other Vendors and Christmas Wares
There was an impressive array of vendors with handmade gifts, decorations, toys, candles and even food from Jane’s Sweet Addictions and strudel and German pretzels. Speaking of pretzels...those pretzels are making me thirsty, let’s head for...
The Bar!
There’s a full bar here at The Lindenhof and it’s an impressive wooden bar with decorations and mugs hanging overhead. There’s more mugs in the back there behind Santa.
They have four beers on draft and this friendly bartender served me one of them! Now I’m really getting into the spirits of this holiday season! Prost!
As you can see this is a popular room here at The Lindenhof and it’s loaded with Christmas decorations and interesting German artifacts.
There’s also a kitchen back here and they were serving up sandwiches, sauerkraut and German potato salad among other delicious items. There’s a trio of gentlemen working the kitchen and as you can see, there’s a nice selection of mustard in here! I chose the spicy brown mustard for my bratwurst and it was delicious!
Auf Wiedersehen!
As I left I spotted this Cheap Trick inspired banner! Thanks to everyone who posed for photos and it was a fun and festive event. As I said earlier if you missed it, you can check it out on December 9th and 10th. There’s more information here. We’ll see you all tomorrow!
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7601 N. Harker Drive
Peoria
309-691-7484
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Related Post: Chili Cookoff and Tim and Jeanette’s Wedding Reception.