A truly old fashioned Christmas
Kristkindl Markt, Hermann

by Heather Berry

Do you deserve a stocking filled with toys and candy or a bag of switches this year? Father Christmas knows and he’ll bring the appropriate gift for sure!

The roots of the persona known as Father Christmas began with a benevolent, quiet man dressed in a hooded robe attending the winter festivals of Europe and England, dating back to the 4th century A.D.

This year an authentic-looking Father Christmas, portrayed by Hermann mail carrier Terry Black, will be roaming Hermann’s Kristkindl Markt on Dec. 10 and 11, beginning at 10 a.m. each day. He will be wearing a costume handmade by local designer Rebecca Rudiger.

The event resembles an old-world German holiday market featuring traditional German arts, crafts, food, literature, costumed carolers, storytellers and music of the season.

The Hermannhof Festhalle, where the event will be held, is located at 237 E. First St. For directions or more details, contact Joan Treis at (573) 252-4136.

Other December holiday festivities in Hermann include a Kristkindl Markt at Stone Hill Winery’s pavilion on Dec. 3 and 4, as well as the Weihnachtsfest, a traditional Christmas open house at the Deutschheim State Historic Site on the same dates. All of these events are free to the public.

Tours of Hermann’s historic homes decked out for the holidays will be offered on Dec. 3 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a fee of $10 at the Hermann Welcome Center.

For other December event listings in Hermann call 1-800-932-8687.