Suzanne Hull Presents at Des Moines Area Retired School Personnel Association
Suzanne Hull, Board President of Des Moines European Heritage Association presented to the Des Moines Area Retired School Personnel Association on September 22, 2016
The group enjoyed hearing about DMEHA and what they have planned for Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place at Cowles Commons December 2 – 4, 2016.
If you’d like Suzanne to make a presentation to your networking group or community organization, please contact her at [email protected].
About DMARSPA
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.
Meet Your Event Planning Committee Members | Missy Mootz
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Missy Mootz, and I grew up in Iowa before broadening my horizons for 4 years in Minneapolis and 3 years in Zurich, Switzerland. I am currently a stay-at-home mom of one (soon to be two in December). I married my college sweetheart who provided me with the opportunity to experience all that Europe has to offer.
Why are you involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines?
I got involved in Christkindlmarket Des Moines for two reasons. I was looking for a connection to the life I had just lived for 3 years in Switzerland, and I wanted to get involved in the community. Luckily, I came across this opportunity, and it has already exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait for the first inaugural Market to start some new traditions with my family!
Why should others become involved?
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.
Venue Announcement!
German Christmas Market Set for Downtown Des Moines
Event to Feature European Culture, Food, Music, Gifts
DES MOINES, IOWA, Sept. 15, 2016 – The first-ever German Christmas-themed market, known as Christkindlmarket Des Moines, is set for Dec. 2 to 4 in downtown Des Moines at Cowles Commons just across from the Des Moines Civic Center. Produced by the Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), a local non-profit organization, the inaugural event will offer attendees an authentic outdoor Christmas market experience with food, music and unique gifts that has been a holiday tradition which began in German-speaking Europe nearly 700 years ago.
“We’re thrilled to offer an experience like this for Des Moines and all of Iowa,” said Suzanne Hull, president of the DMEHA and a founder of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. “We hope people will mark their calendars for the first weekend in December to join us downtown for good food, fun and a bit of European holiday tradition here in the Midwest.”
Village-like huts decorated with holiday lights and garlands will house a variety of vendors from across the Midwest offering wares such as hand-dyed scarves, baked goods, teas, hand-knitted items, knives, and much more.
Aside from the holiday treats and gift items, marketgoers will enjoy a host of local and statewide music ensembles from high school choirs to professional entertainers – all with a holiday theme or twist.
A highlight of the Christkindlmarket Des Moines, like all German Christmas markets, will be the hot, spiced mulled wine known as Glühwein (gloo-vine), literally “glowing wine” in German. Those who attend the event early enough can purchase a collectible Glühwein mug featuring original artwork by a German artist to commemorate the inaugural Des Moines event. To ensure the purchase of the limited edition mugs, Hull advises pre-ordering them at the DMEHA website or at www.christkindlmarketdsm.com with a gift of $25 or more.
“We know the Glühwein mugs will be a big hit, so we’re urging people to make a donation of $25 or more now to ensure that they’ll get one of these great one-of-a-kind mementos,” Hull said. “The Christmas season will be here before we know it and we hope that Iowans will help make Christkindlmarket Des Moines a new part of their holiday tradition.”
Christkindlmarket Des Moines sponsors include: Darcy Hines Designs, Drake University, The Museum of Danish America, Gail’s Photography and Designs, Action Electric, Greater Iowa Credit Union, Iowa Sister States, Ingersoll wine & Spirits. For a full list of sponsors, visit www.christkindlmarketdsm.com.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines community supporters include: Patty & Jim Cownie Charitable Fund, The Deb and Paul Hayes Charitable Fund.
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.
DMEHA at the World Food & Music Festival
We really enjoy getting out and talking about the mission of Des Moines European Heritage Association! We’ve had such a great summer visiting various farmers markets and festivals. We’d love to see you at the World Food & Music Festival this weekend! We’ll be on the west end of the Court Avenue Bridge. Stop by to make a Christmas ornament and learn more about Christkindlmarket Des Moines taking place December 2 – 4, 2016!
The 2016 Festival will feature Cuisine from Around the World!
Live Entertainment – Cooking Demonstrations
$1 tastes/all entrees $5 or less
Saturday Fireworks – 10 p.m.
Free to attend
Friday, Sept. 16: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 18: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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.
Meet Your Event Planning Committee Members | Dave Cox
Tell us about yourself.
I am a professional technical manager and an amateur husband and father.
Why are you involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines?
I lived in Germany as a student and professional and attended many Christmas markets.
Why should others become involved?
I would love my children and eventual grand children to experience the old world charm and flavors of their European Heritage.
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.
Suzanne Hull Presents at WDM Rotary Club
Suzanne Hull, Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) Board President, had the pleasure of speaking to the Rotary Club of West Des Moines. If your networking group, church group, neighborhood association, etc. would like a member of our organization to visit to talk about DMEHA and Christkindlmarket Des Moines, just let us know!
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.
The Weitz Company | Silver Sponsor
We’re pleased to announce that The Weitz Company is a Silver Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
Founded in Des Moines, Iowa in 1855, The Weitz Company is a full-service general contractor, design-builder and construction manager with office locations throughout the United States. Weitz is one of the oldest commercial general contractors in the United States and consistently ranks in the top tier in the Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s list of Top 400 Contractors.
Thank you for your support!
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.
DMEHA Receives Iowa Arts Council Art Project Grant
Des Moines European Heritage Association is pleased to announce that it has received an Art Project Grant from the Iowa Arts Council, a
division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Grant funds will support the programming stage at Christkindlmarket Des Moines, December 2 – 4, 2016.
The Art Project Grant supports the creation and presentation of new artwork, development of an arts experience or formation of an arts education program. Project grants provide support to positively impact the vitality of the arts in Iowa by creating arts opportunities that are accessible to all Iowans. The Arts Project Grant will be used to support a variety of performances on the programming stage.
The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and its three divisions – the Iowa Arts Council, Produce Iowa-State Office of Media Production and the State Historical Society of Iowa – empower Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. The department’s work enables Iowa to be recognized as a state that fosters creativity and serves as a catalyst for innovation where the stories of Iowa are preserved and communicated to connect past, present and future generations.
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.
Christmas in July Moonlight Ride!
Des Moines European Heritage Association planned the perfect night out to get your Christmas fix! We held our inaugural Christmas in July Moonlight Ride on July 16 with all funds raised going to support Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016.
Before cruising through Clive and West Des Moines along a 17-mile route, participants enjoyed live music at 515 Brewing Company. After the ride, participants re-hydrated with a 515 Brewing Company craft beer.
Gift certificates and water bottles were given as prizes for best individual costume, best-decorated bike or helmet and best team theme. Check out all of the pictures on Facebook and from Gail’s Photography and Designs, one of our sponsors.
AT&T was also on hand to discuss their products as well as to give away a FitBit HR and UE Boom 2 Waterproof Speaker as door prizes for registered riders.
We hope to see you all again next year!
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.
A Successful Trip to 80/35!
The 2016 80/35 Music Festival, took place July 8 and 9, and offered local organizations the opportunity to participate in the Community Village. The Community Village is a unique opportunity for area nonprofits and music organizations to connect with like-minded 80/35 festival goers through engaging activities and interactive exhibits.
We built our wooden vendor stall at the intersection of 13th Street and Grand Avenue where both children and adults could make a holiday ornament. Check out some of our pictures!
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.