Join DMEHA Today!
At our Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling Party and Open House on Tuesday, Des Moines European Heritage Association launched our annual membership drive. Join today and enjoy the following benefits:
Silver – $100 (annual membership)
- 2 guaranteed Christkindlmarket Des Moines (CDM) commemorative mugs – $50 value
- Limited edition commemorative poster OR pin – voucher to give to the cashier at “An der Weihnachtsecke” at CDM.
- Free CDM reusable bag – $5 value
- 5% off purchase of two tickets to one DMEHA Event (includes CDM preview events) or one language school class per membership year
- Recognition on our website as a “Silver” member
Gold – $250 (annual membership)
All items listed above plus:
- Limited edition commemorative poster – voucher to give to the cashier at “An der Weihnachtsecke”
- Limited edition commemorative pin – voucher to give to the cashier at “An der Weihnachtsecke”
- Membership bracelet
- Free general admission entry to “‘Twas the Night Before #CDM“, the preview night, with full access to vendors ahead of the market – Value of $35 gets you free parking, 1 entree, 1 dessert, 2 drink coupons, commemorative CDM mug
- Access to “express lane” for Gluehwein, Beer and the DMEHA Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt (Must show membership bracelet)
- 10% total off purchase of two tickets to one DMEHA event or one language school class per calendar or membership year
- 5% off purchases at “An Der Weinachtsecke” (Must show membership bracelet)
- Recognition as “Gold” level member at CDM (Must be a paid member by November 1, 2019 to be included on the printed banner
Damonlayne Woodworking | #CDM2019 Vendor
Tell us about your business:
DamonLayne Woodworking is an Iowa business located in Earlham. For the past 6 years, I have spent my free time working from a renovated Madison County, one-room school house to create beautifully designed items for your home. My woodworking products include cutting boards, cheese slicers, and amazing cribbage boards.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019?
I am excited to be a part of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 because it displays the unique European holiday traditions. Talented artisans will be displaying their creations while families stroll along listening to music, sampling the food, and sipping warm mulled wine. This is an amazing event to have in Des Moines.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 and why did you choose them?
My products for this year’s Christkindlmarket Des Moines include cribbage boards, cutting boards, and cheese slicers. These handmade items make wonderful gifts to include in your holiday baskets.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am happy to be a part of this magnificent event again this year. The little vendor huts, the wonderful smell of food, and lively polka music are sure to make this event a holiday tradition for your family.
Andy Klindt Woodcraft | #CDM2019 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Andy Klindt is an Iowa artisan who creates using wood and iron.
Andy uses native Iowa timbers for his wooden creations, utilizing anything from chainsaws to traditional hand tools. When blacksmithing, Andy uses time-honored methods to forge his metal art/pieces.
Fanciful , functional, or a fusion of each…watching Andy craft original pieces is sure to delight people of all ages!
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019?
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is an AMAZING event! You can’t beat the festive holiday atmosphere and there is something for everyone…traditional Christmas market foods, live entertainment, wonderful shopping for unique gifts, and Glühwein! We love being a part of Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 and why did you choose them?
This year we will have a variety of gifts to choose from! Of course there will be chainsaw carvings, but you’re also likely to find things like handmade wooden spoons and cutting boards, tradition wooden boxes for whatever you can imagine, wooden Christmas ornaments, hand forged hooks, bottle openers, grill accessories, and decorations. You just never know what Andy might decide to make next!
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 Entertainment Schedule
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Be one of the first to experience Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 during this private, ticketed preview party at Principal Park, on Thursday, December 5, 2019 from 5 – 9pm. GET TICKETS!
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm – DSM Dueling Fiddles In the style of “dueling pianos,” the Des Moines Dueling Fiddles is an entertainment duo that provides a repertoire consisting of World fiddle music, Gypsy, Celtic, Pop, Rock, Latin, Klezmer, Irish, Bluegrass, and Classical selections. The DSM Dueling Fiddles may currently be found performing for various concerts and events in the Central Iowa area. Highlights from previous performances include: Celebrate Iowa Gala, Newton Fest, and CelebrAsian, among others.
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen are based out of Mt Vernon, IA and have been performing all over the country for 31 years. We play polkas, waltzes, big band, old country and party songs! We like to have fun and hope you do too!
Friday, December 6, 2019
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm The Jim Kucera Band has been performing since 1984. The group has not only performed in Iowa and Nebraska, but throughout the Midwest. The group has 5 recordings on CD, one of which (Play A Polka Daddy), was featured in the Polka Countdown top 10 recordings in 2001. The group specializes in all styles of polka music, and enjoys playing many Oktoberfest celebrations each year throughout the Midwest.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Top Hat Carolers is a local singing group that has performed holiday music for over 25 years. They sing traditional Christmas carols and contemporary holiday tunes dressed in Victorian garb.
6:00 pm – 6:10 pm Opening Ceremony
6:10 pm – 6:30 pm – Kantorei is a small group of college students drawn from the Grand View Choir that sings a variety of music. For Christkindlmarket Des Moines they will be singing Christmas carols.
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Malek’s Fishermen Band is one of the finest polka bands in the Midwest; and continue the great tradition of dance music excellence started by Syl Malek in the 1930’s with Malek Bros. Accordion Band. The modern Malek’s Fishermen Band plays a wide range of dance music that includes the traditional old tyme polkas, waltzes, two-steps, and schottisches as well as country, big band, dixieland, and other dance hall favorites. Malek’s Fishermen Band has it’s own distinctive sound that is a favorite of dancers and listeners throughout the Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin region. Over the years, they have recorded many albums, and can be found at dance halls, polkafests, and parties in this four state region.
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – The Central Chapter, Polka Club of Iowa is organized as an educational and social organization for the preservation and advancement of polka music, dancing and folklore.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
11:30 am – 12:30 pm – The Central Iowa Wind Ensemble is an adult symphonic band with musicians drawn from the greater Des Moines area.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – DSM Dueling Fiddles In the style of “dueling pianos,” the Des Moines Dueling Fiddles is an entertainment duo that provides a repertoire consisting of World fiddle music, Gypsy, Celtic, Pop, Rock, Latin, Klezmer, Irish, Bluegrass, and Classical selections. The DSM Dueling Fiddles may currently be found performing for various concerts and events in the Central Iowa area. Highlights from previous performances include: Celebrate Iowa Gala, Newton Fest, and CelebrAsian, among others.
2:00 pm – 2:20 pm – Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm – Heartland Youth Choir‘s Cantilena Choir is an auditioned choir of 3rd and 4th grade singers. Heartland Youth Choir has 5 levels of choirs from 4 years old to senior’s in high school. This will be our 4th year performing for Chirstkindlemarket Des Moines.
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance Celebrate Irish culture with the Foy School of Irish Dance. The revelry includes delightful traditional dances and contemporary choreographed numbers that both enchant and entertain!
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm – Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums of Iowa The mission of our band is to support active and reserve military units, law enforcement agencies, and fire departments. We regularly perform at local events that support these groups.
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm – Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Alpensterne Combined Alpensterne musical talents can’t be numbered by years but by their youth and spontaneity. Their authentic German singing and yodeling are true crowd pleasers They are equally at home doing the standards, Latin, and all of your favorite musical genres. The group performs at many Upper Midwest largest German Festivals and Oktoberfests.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
12:00 pm – 12:30pm – International Folk Dancing will be taught to the public and will require their participation. You will learn circle and line dances from France, Europe and other countries.
12:30 pm – 12:50 pm – Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – The Metro Brass Quintet performs a fun variety of music from polkas to jazz and has been entertaining the Des Moines metro since 2014.
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Des Moines Chantants (strolling) is a group of French speaking Iowa residents getting together to sing french carols and other French songs.
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
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Three In One Artworks | #CDM2019 Vendor
Tell us about your business
For four years, I’ve been developing my skills and style in pottery and sculpture. My work consists of three thematic elements: agriculture and rural heritage; Celtic and Irish Dance, and contemporary geometric and abstract designs. I enjoy making functional items that contain subtle symbolism.
Every bowl or mug is created by hand via the wheel or slab and coil techniques. Special attention to decorative embellishments or glazing ensures each piece is one-of-a-kind. I welcome commission work.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019?
I first attended the Christkindlmarket in 2017, when my daughter’s Irish dance troupe performed on stage. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and ethnically diverse elements of the event. This past December, we attended the event again as part of the Foy School of Irish Dance and I felt confident that I had enough stock to be a vendor at the 2019 Christkindlmarket Des Moines. I’m excited to be part of this growing, unique offering on Des Moines’ thriving entertainment and cultural calendar.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 and why did you choose them?
My products will consist primarily of mugs, trays, boxes, and bowls, as well as other small items with European historic and cultural designs. I will also have a collection of items celebrating Iowa with agriculture motifs. I am choosing items based on size, price range, design, and relation to the theme of the event. I aim to make it affordable and easy for the shopper to carry their purchases while enjoying the event.
Dakota Tinworks | #CDM2019 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Now in its fifth year, Dakota Tinworks is a family-owned business, specializing in traditional, handmade tinware and tin decorative items. Karl, the tinsmith in the family, uses mostly 19th century tinsmith’s tools in the creation of his tin goods. He trained as a historical tinsmith with Loren Miller at the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer in Grand Island, Nebraska, and with master tinsmith William McMillen at Historic Eastfield Village in New York. He’s also taken an advanced tinsmithing workshop co-taught by Steve Delisle, head tinsmith at Colonial Williamsburg.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019?
We were invited to participate in CDM 2017, and we all enjoyed it so much, we wanted to come back the next year. People seem to really like the tin goods we produce and sell. We enjoy meeting everyone who stops by our pop-up tents. We’re looking forward to Christkindlmarket 2019, with a new and larger location!
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 and why did you choose them?
Our tin ornaments and tree tinsel remain very popular, so we will, of course, have plenty of those on hand. We also plan to offer some new items for sale, including pierced tin candle shades, with traditional designs. These can be used with tea lights to highlight the design. And, of course, we’ll have a full range of other tin items for sale — cups, lanterns, candle sconces, and cookie cutters, among many other items.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We’re excited to be a part of this wonderful event once again. We unfortunately had to close one day during CDM 2018 because of storm damage to our set-up, but we have plans in place to strengthen the pop-ups and we’ll be ready for whatever weather comes our way!
Curbin’ Cuisine | #CDM2019 Vendor
Tell us about your business
Jarrod and Misty reside just outside of Polk City, Iowa, right off Saylorville Lake. They started Curbin’ Cuisine in May 2013 with just a food cart & a huge dream. Over the next five years, Curbin’ Cuisine grew more popular and has been requested by numerous businesses & event coordinators in Des Moines and in surrounding towns. Curbin’ Cuisine is a featured food vendor at several Des Moines and surrounding area events, breweries & festivals. Check out the “Where is Curbin’ Cuisine” section for full details on dates, times & locations. Curbin’ Cuisine has been voted Best of the Best Top Three Food Trucks by City View Magazine two years in a row.
What inspired you to get involved as a vendor at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019?
Misty loves Christmas anything. We visited this market a few years back and knew we wanted to be apart of it with our food truck. We serve Globally Inspired Foods and this market brings European/German heritage right here to Des Moines, that we knew we could serve delicious eats to customers. This market made our “Hogfather” very popular.
What products will you be selling at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 and why did you choose them?
The Hogfather Sausage Sandwich w/ BBQ Bacon Kraut; Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich or The Rachael w/ Turkey; German Style Mac N Cheese “Spatzle”; German Skillet Bowl; Garlic Parm Pretzel Bombs W/ Cheese Sauce; CinnaBomb Pretzel Bombs w/ Frosting Dip; Coffee & Water.
Danish Windmill | Platinum Sponsor
The Danish Windmill is a proud sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 representing the Danish of Iowa and will make a guest appearance at the mug unveiling on May 21st.
The 1848 Danish Windmill was brought piece by piece from Denmark in 1975 and rebuilt by community volunteers as a memorial to their strong Danish Heritage. The historic 60 foot tall windmill just completed a 2-year major restoration project and now is in working condition and turns by the wind as it once did over 170 years ago in Denmark.
Christkindlmarket DSM Mug Unveiling and Open House
Be one of the first to view Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ 2019 Glühwein mug design at Jasper Winery on Tuesday, May 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Sip the signature drink (warm mulled wine) while shopping a mini market featuring foods and handcrafted items from Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 vendors. Other Jasper wines and Madhouse beer will also be available for purchase.
The first 25 attendees to donate $25 (or more) to guarantee their 2019 mug will receive a goody bag. A limited quantity of commemorative mugs are ordered each year. The mug design will be revealed at 6:30 p.m.
Learn more about Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), the non-profit that produced Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Sign up to become a Silver or Gold member and show your support for an association whose mission is to connect Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences.
Feeling festive? Bring your own Glühwein mug (0.2 liters) from a past Christmas market.
Admission is free; donations accepted.
#CDM2019 Vendor Announcement
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 Gift and Specialty Item Vendors
An der Weihnachtsecke (At the Christmas Corner), Imported from Germany
Offering: advent calendars, imported chocolate, baumkuchen, Mozart kugeln, Asbach filled chocolates, assorted marzipan, Haribo, Pandoro, Pannetone, butter cookies, stollen, beer steins, beer mugs, beer glassware, shot glasses and Christkindlmarket Des Moines merchandise. Price Range: $1 – $200
German Imports, Germany
Offering: Steinbach nutcrackers and smokers; INGE glass ornaments.
Price Range: $5 – $400
DamonLayne Woodworking, Earlham, IA
Damon will be selling unique, hand-made cutting boards, cookie molds, and cheese slicers.
Offering: Woodworking: cookie molds, cutting boards, cheese slicers
Price Range: $20 – $200
DSM Foundry, Des Moines, IA
Ornaments, lanterns, signs, maps, and any other decorations we can cobbler together. Hand made in Des Moines with a laser cutter, woodworking, and a host of other mediums.
Offering: Lanterns, ornaments, decorative signs and maps, laser cut artwork
Price Range: $1 – $100
Pickle Creek Herbs, Fairfield, IA
At Pickle Creek, we use organic herbs we grow on our Iowa farm to handcraft artisanal herbal products, including infused olive oils and vinegars, soaps, salves, salts, and balms.
Offering: Herb-infused olive oils and vinegars, soaps, salves, salts, and balms that we handcraft ourselves using original recipes and the herbs and other produce we grow in our garden.
Price Range: $3 – $25
Held Companies, Corcoran, MN
At Held Companies we make handmade wooden snowmen and deer of all sizes. We also create laser cut decor such as; signs, ornaments, coasters and magnets.
Offering: Birch Snowmen, Birch Deer, Repurposed wooden signs, ornaments, wooden trees, etc.
Price Range: $2 – $150
Three In One Artworks, Urbandale, IA
Three In One Artworks offers unique, hand-crafted functional and decorative clay mugs, trays, boxes and bowls. Designs include agricultural and rural heritage, Celtic, Christian and contemporary designs.
Offering: Ornaments, coffee cups, mugs, serving trays, serving bowls, trinket boxes, trinket dishes, candle holders, vases, kitchen utensil holders, decorative trays, plates and bowls. (Celtic, agriculture and contemporary designs)
Price Range: $15 – $100
Danish Windmill, Elk Horn, IA
Authentic 1848 historic Danish Windmill located in Elk Horn, Iowa. The Windmill was built in Denmark in 1848 and reconstructed in Elk Horn in 1975 to working condition and stands as a memorial to the areas Danish Heritage.
Offering: Danish Christmas giftware celebrating old world traditions. Prepackaged Danish candy and Danish food
Price Range: $1 – $100
Andy Klindt – Chainsaw Carvings, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Andy Klindt creates using wood and iron, utilizing anything from chainsaws to traditional hand tools when working in wood and time honored methods of blacksmithing when working with metal.
Offering: Chainsaw carvings, Wooden ornaments, Hand forged kitchen ware, decorations, tools, knives, jewelry, Hand carved wooden kitchen ware, Handmade wooden boxes, totes, tables
Price Range: $7 – $3000
Nymph In The Woods, Boone, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Nymph in the Woods creates one-of-a-kind jewelry combining fused glass and wire wrapping! See how the pieces are created during wire wrapping demonstrations!
Offering: Jewelry combining fused glass and wire wrapping – necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and more!
Price Range: $15 – $150
Indianola Glass Creations, Indianola, IA | DEMONSTRATION
We make everything we sell in Indianola, Iowa. They are one of a kind fused and stained glass jewelry and home decor pieces. Will be demonstrating blown glass ornaments.
Offering: Fused glass pendants, earrings, bracelets, hair accessories, pop sockets, tie-tac’s, tie-bars, money clips & key chains. Fused glass plates, bowls, soap dish, spoon rest, business card holder, napkin holder Christmas ornaments. Stained glass Christmas ornaments pendants, earrings, picture frames and small panels. Blown glass ornaments, hand painted glass Christmas ornaments and hand painted wine bottle lights with winter scene.
Price Range: $8 – $150
Wild Cherry Spoon Co, Rock Island, IL | DEMONSTRATION
Handcarved wooden home, kitchen, and lifestyle goods made from ethically harvested urban lumber.
Offering: Hand-carved wooden: spoons, spatulas, kitchen utensils, cutting, serving, and presentation boards and trays, pizza cutters and paddles, shaving razors, shaving brushes, shaving stands, baby spoons, coffee scoops, beer flights, bottle openers, muddlers, wooden bowls.
Price Range: $5 – $125
Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt
Support Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), the non-profit that produces Christkindlmarket Des Moines with a purchase from this stand.
Offering: Usinger Brats, Käse Spätzle and bottled water
Price Range: $1 – $5
Glühwein
Glühwein (roughly, “glow-wine”, from the hot irons once used for mulling) is popular in German speaking countries. Glühwein is prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, cloves, star aniseed, citrus, sugar and at times vanilla pods.
Iowa Beer Bus
L&L European Delight, Chariton, IA
Ukrainian style foods, gifts and desserts
Offering: Perogie, pelmeni, cabbage rolls, candy, sweets
Price Range: $1 – $10
Chocolaterie Stam, Des Moines, IA
Fine European chocolates and confections.
Offering: hot chocolate, prepacked chocolates, stroopwafels handmade, speculaas
Price Range: $3 – $40
Top of the Hill Nuts, Grinnell, IA
Offering: Cinnamon or maple flavored roasted almonds, cashews, pecans
Price Range: $5 – $8
Curbin Cuisine, Granger, IA
State of the art, wickedly designed bright green food truck.
Sugarplums Cakes and Confections, LLC, Altoona, IA
Sugarplums is a local bakery that specializes in traditional gingerbread and other European baked goods for the Christkindlmarket. Everything we sell is made completely from scratch from family recipes.
Ruhland’s Strudel Haus, St. Paul, MN
Fresh baked sweet and savory strudels, handmade pretzels
Cheese Bar, Des Moines, IA
Cheese Bar DSM will be unveiling our newest addition, Cheese Cart. We will be featuring Raclette prepared in the European Traditional Method of scrapping melted cheese over potatoes and sausage.
K & S Kitchen LLC, Des Moines, IA
French Style Crepes with a sweet or savory filling
The Kringle Man (Village Cafe), Elk Horn, IA
The Kringle is made of very high quality dough folded and buttered 81 times to get all the lightness and air pockets associated with Danish Baking. We blend Almond Paste with all our Fruit to come up with an irresistible, melt in your mouth flavor.
