One of this area’s most notable and interesting Christmas-related events takes place for the 30th time in Mifflinburg when the Christkindl Market takes place from December 13 to 15.

The largest winter festival in the Susquehanna River Valley, the three-day Mifflinburg Christkindl Market, will open Thursday, Dec. 13. The outdoor, authentic, German Christmas Market attracts approximately 15,000 visitors each year. This year is the 30th anniversary for the Market.

With over 100 vendors, visitors may savor a variety of Germanic-inspired foods. Eleven new vendors join the Market this year. Detailed information on vendors and other features mentioned below are provided on the Christkindl web site: http://www.OldChristkindl.com

The theme this year is Vienna, the largest city in Austria and the second-largest German-speaking city in the world. Vienna was the boyhood home of Rudi Skucek, the founder of our Christkindl Market. The Board selected Vienna as this year’s theme as a tribute to Rudi on this, the 30th Anniversary of the Christkindl Market. A presentation on Vienna, including photos and videos, will be presented each day of the Market. Check the Schedule of Events brochure and the

Christindl website for times and location.

The Opening Procession begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, December 13, led by the high school Renaissance Bande and includes St. Nicholas. The woodcarver will return this year with an amazing array of large and small hand-carved trees of all sizes up to three feet tall. The ever-popular Hilby, the German Juggle-Boy, will be back all day on Friday and Saturday. Also returning: Singer-Guitarist K.J. Reimensnyder-Wagner, Vocalist Alyssa Ronco, Bryan Herber, pianist, and Magician Brent

Kessler, as well as the numerous instrumental and choral ensembles from Mifflinburg schools.

The Shippensburg Blaskapelle (German Band) returns for their twenty-eighth appearance at the Market. Visitors can enjoy the roving, musical Christmas tree, the Live Nativity, and greet St. Nicholas strolling through the Market with his treasure chest.

The Christkindl Corner Gift Hut, located in the middle of the Market, again includes its inventory of numerous authentic, quality German ornaments and Christmas decorations along with the annual pewter ornament. A myriad of German sweets including the brandy filled Asbach Chocolates, and Mozart Balls will be featured.

Especially for children: In Kinder World (Children’s World), children can make Christmas craft items (this year a snow pail is featured), solve puzzles, meet Mrs. Claus in the Elf School, and visit the Peek-a-boo House and Gingerbread House. All children are invited to join in the Children’s Lantern Parade on Friday at 5:45 pm. A visit with St. Nicholas follows this. Children will be assisted in making a gingerbread house or decorating soap in the shape of a Christmas tree provided by Pompeii Street Soap.

Traditional Glühwein, hot mulled wine, or a German beer with your Wurst (sausage), will be available. The aroma of a wide variety of ethnic foods such as simmering soups, freshly baked Apfel Strudel, and numerous German sausages add to the festivities. Traditional Viennese foods will be available from some of our vendors: Vanillekipferl (crescent-shaped cookies), Schnitzel-on-a-Stick, and Sachertorte (chocolate cake infused with apricot jam). Special indoor servings include a Ham and Green Bean Dinner at the Lutheran Church and a Sauerkraut Dinner served by St. John’s United Church of Christ.

The Schedule of Events is posted on the web or for more information call the toll-free number, 888-666-0877. Shuttle buses will be provided to transport visitors from the Parking Lots at the East and West ends of town. The Market is presented by the Christkindl Market of Mifflinburg, Inc., a 501c3 organization. Market hours are Thursday, Dec. 13 from 4:30 to 9 p.m., Friday Dec.14 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to the Market Closing at 8 p.m. Limited handicapped Parking is available behind the Lutheran Church, 404 Market Street and on Saturday at the West End of town. For insurance and safety purposes, pets are not allowed except for service animals. There is no entrance fee, but donations are greatly appreciated.