Join DMEHA at Des Moines Arts Festival
As you might have noticed from our posts lately, there is a lot to do this summer in Des Moines. We’ve already visited the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, the Beaverdale Farmers Market, hosted a Dine to Donate program at Granite City. Don’t worry if you missed out. There’s still much more to come. We’ll be celebrating Christmas in July with a moonlight bike ride on July 16. If you can’t wait until then to learn more about Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines, there’s another opportunity coming up soon!
Join DMEHA at the Des Moines Arts Festival June 24-26. This award winning festival is a great way to get out and see the city. Located in Western Gateway Park, around the John and Mary Papajohn Sculpture Park, it has artist demonstrations, live music and art available for purchase. The 180 artists featured were each selected by a committee to present their work at the festival.
Even better, there is a community outreach program where local non-profit organizations can connect with the public. DMEHA will be located there, near the Community Choice Credit Union Performing Stage. Look for us on Grand Avenue off of 15th Street.
We’ll be sharing our own art project with visitors while we’re there. Come by our tent to make a paper ornament to take home.
We can’t wait to see everyone there! Get your friends together to learn more about DMEHA and Christkindlmarket Des Moines while appreciating another great event Des Moines has to offer.
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.
Be a Part of Tradition: Glühwein Mugs!
Traditions are an important part of Christmas markets around the world. Handmade gifts, delicious food and vendor stalls are just a few of the well-known traditions associated with Christmas markets. Every market has their own style and history, but one tradition seems to unite them across countries. Glühwein mugs are a staple at markets each year.
For those who haven’t experienced Christmas markets before, Glühwein is hot mulled wine. This drink is a favorite for visitors and is often served in souvenir mugs. These mugs are often customized for each market or even for each year.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines is bringing a Christmas market to Iowa for the first time, we thought it was important to celebrate the traditions that make them special. For that reason, we are excited to announce Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016 Glühwein mugs will be available during the event this December. We’re working with Sabine Voigt to create our mugs. Currently, she designs the mugs for Cologne, Germany’s Christmas market. Check out the example of her work below.
If you’re as excited as we are, you can reserve your mug in advance before July 1 with a donation of $25 or more. We will be ordering a fixed quantity and we want to be sure our supporters are guaranteed this keepsake, boot-shaped collectors items. How special would it be to have a Glühwein mug from our inaugural event?
We will be taking pre-orders those who donate $25 or more before July 1. If you would like to reserve your mug, check out our donation page and make your donation through Paypal or Dwolla. Don’t forget to share this opportunity with friends and family. We don’t want anyone to miss out!
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.
Dine to Donate with Des Moines European Heritage Association
There are a lot of ways to get involved and support Des Moines European Heritage Association. You can donate, volunteer, visit with us at the farmers market or cruise through Clive and West Des Moines with us. Those are all just this summer alone! We aren’t stopping there. For those who are especially busy or who love a good meal, we have a Dine to Donate Fundraiser coming up at Granite City Food & Brewery in Clive on June 16, from 11 a.m. to Midnight. It’s an easy and fun way to get out and support Des Moines European Heritage Association.
Granite City Food & Brewery will donate 10 percent of sales from anyone who presents the DMEHA flyer while ordering. You can also present a Facebook event invite, a newsletter with flyer or email. Total sales for each order includes food, drinks, to-go orders and catering. If you call in advance, the restaurant would be happy to get a large to-go order together and deliver it. Just be sure to give at least 24-hour notice and mention DMEHA Dine to Donate when ordering.
Besides being a great way to raise money to support DMEHA and Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016, this event is also an opportunity to meet and mingle with our dedicated volunteers. From 5 to 8 p.m., there will be a volunteer social at Granite City. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to get to know the organization or searching for opportunities to get involved, consider joining us. There is no better way to learn about our mission than from the people who have worked tirelessly for two and a half years to make DMEHA and Christkindlmarket Des Moines a reality.
We hope to see everyone there! RSVP to the Dine to Donate event here. RSVP for the volunteer social here.
A Successful Trip to the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market
Last weekend, Des Moines European Heritage Association visited the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market. Volunteers and committee members shared our mission, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved with local shoppers. Best of all, this outing was the first time one of the vendor booths of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016 debuted to the public. Visitors to the stall also made paper ornaments to take home. (A little preview of the great, handmade gifts that will be available for purchase during the first Christkindlmarket Des Moines!)
We had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. Check out pictures from the day below. Be sure to keep an eye out for our upcoming community events. There are so many great ways to connect with us this summer!
Some assembly required.
Ready for visitors!
An insider’s view.
Is there a better way to spend a Saturday morning than learning and crafting?
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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Visit DMEHA at the Beaverdale Farmers Market
As we mentioned in one of our last blog posts, having access to fresh, local food through farmers markets is one of the best parts of living in Des Moines. In case Saturdays in Downtown Des Moines aren’t enough, we have another great opportunity to visit with Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines while browsing local produce. We’ll be sharing our mission and upcoming events at the Beaverdale Farmers Market on Tuesday, June 14.
Starting in June, the Beaverdale Farmers Market runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday. The have vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, prepared food, jewelry, crafts and more. Don’t forget to check out the live entertainment either. While Des Moines European Heritage Association is at the market, Lily DeTaeye will be playing to entertain shoppers.
The market has a new location this year. You can find it from 4100-4200 Urbandale Ave. between Beaver Ave. & 42nd St.
Hope to see everyone there. This is a great opportunity to get out on a Tuesday night, connect with the community and learn more about DMEHA’s mission!
Join Us for a Christmas in July Moonlight Ride!
Christmas was just over five months ago. Know what that means? It’s time for a fix to tide us over until Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Luckily, Des Moines European Heritage Association has the perfect night out planned. Join us for a Christmas in July Moonlight Ride on July 16. All funds raised will support Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016.
Before cruising through Clive and West Des Moines along a 17-mile route, we will meet at 515 Brewing Company. After the ride, participants will enjoy a 515 Brewing Company craft beer. Participants who register before July 1 will also receive a Phantom Flash Arm Band.
You can form a team or ride as an individual. Either way, be sure to get your costumes in order. There will be prizes for best individual costume, best-decorated bike or helmet and best team theme. Be sure to check in by 7:30 p.m. if you’d like to compete. Winners will be announced by 8:15 p.m.
The ride will begin at 8:30 p.m. Helmets, headlights and taillights are required. If you register before June 25, you’ll get the early bird rate of $25. After that, registration is $35. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
If you don’t want to ride but still like to be involved, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities. Email [email protected] if you’d like to help with set-up, directing the ride, cleanup or registration.
We’d love to see everyone there to celebrate Christmas in July!
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.
Visit Christkindlmarket Des Moines at the Downtown Farmer’s Market!
One of the best parts of living in Des Moines during the summer months is the Downtown Farmer’s Market. Is there a better way to spend a Saturday morning than grabbing a breakfast sandwich or burrito and browsing the local produce offerings? Add some great weather and live music and it can’t be beat.
The great opportunities don’t stop there. Did you know you can learn more about what’s happening in Des Moines at the Downtown Farmer’s Market? Each week the market gives non-profit and charitable organizations the opportunity to connect with the community and create awareness for their causes.
On June 4, Des Moines European Heritage Association will be at the Downtown Farmer’s Market at the community corner to share our mission with market goers. We’re excited to bring the first Christkindlmarket Des Moines vendor stall with us. Come get a preview of what the market will look like and learn more about what it takes to make a Christmas market happen. You can also sign up for our e-newsletter while you’re there.
Need more of a reason to visit us? We’ll be making paper ornaments at our stall for people to take home. We’d love for your family to come make a memory with us downtown.
Our booth is located on the intersection of Third Street and Court Avenue, near Johnny’s Hall of Fame. Volunteers will be at the booth from 7 a.m. until noon. We hope to see you there!
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.
Gail’s Photography & Designs | Photography Sponsor
As we continue to host fundraising events and get ready to produce the first Christkindlmarket Des Moines, we’re finding a lot of memorable moments along the way. We’re grateful to have Gail’s Photography and Designs to capture those for us as our 2016 Photography Sponsor.
Gail retired from Lifetouch Portrait Studios in June 2014. The next month, she opened her own photography business. Her subjects are usually children and families. She also designs word art that are offered in metal or in print. Her favorite part of her job is seeing families enjoying themselves and capturing moments for them to keep for generations.
Gail has not attended a Christmas market in the past, but she is looking forward to looking at the unique gifts that are offered. Her involvement with Christkindlmarket Des Moines was inspired by her Italian heritage and passion for learning about other cultures.
“I believe that learning about and understanding what other cultures have to offer is essential in our society,” Gail said.
She also encourages people interested in European heritage to get involved with Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
“There’s great connections to be made and everyone brings something special to it that only they can give.”
Gail’s photos from our Experience France event at VOM FASS are available on the Des Moines European Heritage Association Facebook page. Take a look to see her great work. You’ll see Gail at all of our 2016 fundraising events as well!
Thank you, Gail, 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.
Join us for a British High Tea!
On May 15, experience a British High Tea at Purl Café with Des Moines European Heritage Association. Two seating times are available, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Don your fanciest hat to celebrate spring and culture over tea, finger sandwiches and petite desserts.
This event is perfect for a belated Mother’s Day celebration, a day out with girlfriends or a day out with someone you love. Get a group together to enjoy live violin music, a talk by tea expert Donna Cheeseman, a silent auction and refreshments. Guests will be able to choose from a variety of hot and cold teas, traditional tea sandwich options like cucumber and egg salad and a variety of desserts like cream puffs and brownie bites. Gluten free options are available but must be reserved in advance.
Be sure to dust off your fascinators (decorative hats commonly worn by Brits on formal occasions) and wear them with pride. The best hat in each seating will receive a prize. Don’t have a fascinator lying around? Check out this tutorial to learn how to make them and then customize your own. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Tickets are $25 and are now available on Eventbrite.
Join the event on Facebook and invite your friends!
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.
Give Local Des Moines
On May 3, Des Moines European Heritage Association and more than one hundred other nonprofits in the area will be joining together to participate in a full day of giving with Give Local Des Moines. From midnight to midnight, they will gather donations from the community to fund their causes. The 24-hour crowd-funding event is a partnership with Give Local America. In 2015, more than $68 million dollars were raised in one day by the participating nonprofit organizations.
The goal of the day is to bring together the community to support organizations that make Des Moines the great city that it is. Our organization is working to make Des Moines and Central Iowa even better by creating cultural experiences, promoting language learning and connecting with traditions. The day also aims to help everyone in the community have a chance to be a part of charitable giving. It isn’t about giving huge amounts of money, but instead connecting with causes that resonate with each individual.
The money raised by Des Moines European Heritage Association will support our inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines. It’s free and open to the public! We can’t wait to share it with Des Moines. Until then, join us for Give Local Des Moines to be a part of a community-wide event. We’d love to have your support!
Want more information? Click here to read up on some frequently asked questions.
Be sure to stop by our donor page before the event so you know where to go on the big day!
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.