O Tannenbaum! Help Give Our Non-Profit Holiday Trees a Better Home
For 2019, Christkindlmarket Des Moines is excited to be moving to its new home at Principal Park. As part of this move, we want to give our 15 non-profit partners* a better, safer and more weather-proof venue to display the holiday trees they have so thoughtfully decorated for our annual Non-Profit Tree Silent Auction (event.gives/cdm2019).
Click here to give
As a true, outdoor German-style Christmas market, we are at the mercy of the elements to some extent, but we think we have a solution—our first-ever covered Weihnachtswald (Christmas Forest). It would keep both our beautifully decorated evergreens and our marketgoers a bit cozier and more protected from potential weather issues and hopefully help us raise even more money for so many worthwhile causes across Iowa.
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Won’t you please consider helping us create this amazing new place for our non-profit partners to showcase their amazing Tannenbaum Silent Auction from Dec. 5 -8 at Christkindlmarket Des Moines? Danke schön!
p.s. Have you reserved your limited-edition 2019 Christkindlmarket Des Moines collectible mug yet? It’s not too late. Get yours today before they’re gone.
*These include: Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums of Iowa, Mosaic in Central Iowa, Veterans In Agriculture, Greater Des Moines Sister City Commission, The Pet Project Midwest, Danish Brotherhood/Danish Sisterhood, Scottish Heritage Society of Iowa, Alliance Francais of Central Iowa, Marstienen Lodge, Sons of Norway, Taysia Blue Rescue, Urban Heights Covenant, DMEHA Samstagsschule, Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa, Waukee School District – International Club
Click here to give
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa
Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa is a new addition to the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction. They are excited for market patrons to see their “Home for the Pawlidayz” tree, which will be decorated with a warm, country chic feel and highlight their adoptables.
Providing “Hope” is the main goal of this animal rescue which was founded in June 2014. According to their website, they are “a no-kill rescue whose mission is to rescue, protect, and provide hope as we search for loving homes for stray and neglected animals.”
Bidding on this tree will give Hope Animal Rescue much needed funds to continue providing care for their animals. Ninety percent of all money raised within the organization is used for medical care while the other ten percent is used for food and supplies while forever homes are found.
For more information on Hope Animal Rescue of Iowa, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums
Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ Silent Auction has become a fun and thoughtful tradition over the past three years. Each year, non-profit organizations across Iowa are invited to decorate a tree for display at the market.
MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums is returning to Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ Silent Auction for the second year in a row. They have chosen a “military and first responders” theme to represent their organization.
“The band was founded by Thomas S Coulson, a distinguished piper, who served during World War II. We are a paramilitary pipe and drum band and our uniforms are steeped in traditional attire worn both on Scottish and American soil. Our tartan is Ancient Mackenzie,” explains Dawn Baldwin, the organization’s representative.
The MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums represent the Greater Des Moines, Iowa metro area. Their primary mission is to support Active and Reserve Military Units, Law Enforcement Agencies and Fire Departments and regularly perform at the events that support these agencies.
Money earned from the Silent Auction will be used to upkeep uniforms and equipment for the band and to help offset start-up costs for new members.
The Silent Auction bidding will take place during Christkindlmarket Des Moines December 5th– December 8th.
For more information on the MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums, visit their website.
Silent Auction Feature
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 will be here before we know it, which means it’s time to start meeting our Silent Auction participants. In the coming weeks, we will be introducing you to the organizations who will be beautifying Christkindlmarket Des Moines by decorating trees for bids to further their missions.
Every year, Iowa non-profits are invited to decorate a live cut tree, which adds to Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ festive flare. Each organization receives 100% of the proceeds garnered by their unique tree.
We will be using text-to-bid and website bidding again this year on bidr.co. The event website will go live and bidding will begin Thursday, December 5th at 5:00 p.m.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the fast growing Christkindlmarket Des Moines, and invite you to bid on a piece of the holiday magic!
#CDM2019 Keg Tapping!
Be one of the first to experience the 2019 Christkindlmarket Des Moines beer developed and masterfully brewed by 515 Brewing Company – “O Tannenbock”.
A handful of 2019 Christkindlmarket Des Moines vendors will be on hand to help usher in the holiday spirit.
During this event, a percentage of O Tannenbock sales will be donated to Des Moines European Heritage Association in support of Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Confirmed vendors include: Held Companies, Quilted Gardens and Nursery, The Kringle Man and Swede Point Creamery
Non-Profit Volunteer for Tips!
Volunteers are integral to a successful community event. Christkindlmarket Des Moines needs your help and we have several volunteer opportunities to choose from.
NON-PROFITS: If your non-profit signs up and shows up to fill a shift (volunteers need not be directly associated with your non-profit) to serve Glühwein, beer or Usinger sausages at the Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt, you may put out your own “tip” box for donations for your organization during that shift. Please contact Suzanne at [email protected] if you’re interested. Must be able to show proof of non-profit status.
Shifts will open via VolunteerLocal on October 1, 2019, so get your group together!
Magical Mystical Tea
Seating is limited. Get your ticket today!
New this year, the Magical Mystical Tea! Join us for this exclusive Fall event Sunday, October 13th from 2-4pm at Jasper Winery. This is a time of year shrouded in superstition and stories, so come take a deep dive with this curated event. You’ll learn about where some of the current traditions we call on this time of year got their start, learn history and insight on Tarot Cards from an experienced teacher, and more all while you enjoy specially selected tea and themed treats from a renowned local chef. This event is for those 12 years of age and older.
Click here for tickets
As the Des Moines European Heritage Association it is our mission to connect Iowans European traditions, language education and cultural experiences. Come along while we fulfill that mission with an October twist!
Join Des Moines European Heritage Association as a member and receive an additional 5% – 10% off. Visit www.dmeha.org.
All proceeds will go towards the production of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019, the Des Moines European Heritage Association‘s signature event and the city’s only German-inspired Christmas market.
When booking, please indicate the names of all guests in your party so that we can do our best to seat you together. Parties of two will be seated with other guests.
Please indicate dietary restrictions when purchasing your ticket; we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
If you have questions, please email [email protected].
Signature Beer to be Brewed for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 is pleased to be working with 515 Brewing Company to brew a “Christmas Bock” for #CDM2019.
Originating in the Northern German city of Einbeck, the Bock style of beer is a malty German lager that emphasizes rich maltiness with toasty overtones, slight caramel notes, very low hop bitterness and a touch of sweetness on the finish. While it is still too early in the fermentation process to tell exactly how the 515 Christmas Bock will turn out, we are anticipating it being very close to a true Bock style.
Starting with a three-barrel system, 515 opened its doors for the first time in March of 2013. From the very beginning, the community embraced them whole-heartedly. It soon became apparent they couldn’t brew beer fast enough. In June of 2015, 515 expanded by adding a brand new seven-barrel system along with additional fermenters and brite tanks.
515 Brewing Company has won two gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF®) awards. In 2016 their agave lime wheat beer, Mexican Spring, earned gold in the Fruit Wheat Beer category and in 2017, #Quadgoals, their Belgian quadrupel won gold in the Belgian Dubbel or Quadrupel category. (Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States.)
Things to look forward to:
- Help us name the beer! Keep your eyes open for a Facebook post naming contest. Make your suggestions by messaging the page. The top three names will be put to Facebook for a vote. The beer name with the highest number of votes will win!
- Beer release and #CDM2019 vendor preview at 515 Brewing Company on November 9. $1 of every pint sold will go to Des Moines European Heritage Association.
Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampuses)
You’ve been asking for Krampus inclusion at Christkindlmarket Des Moines for years, now here’s your opportunity to show us what you’ve got! In addition to being the Eve of Sankt Nikolaus day, December 5 is known as Krampusnacht (Krampus Night), during which these hairy beasts appear on the streets.
A Krampuslauf (Running of the Krampuses) is a fun run or walk of celebrants dressed as the wicked beast. Dust off your Krampus costume and parade through downtown Des Moines. Accompanied by St. Nikolaus and Santa Claus (your handlers), you’ll start at Christkindlmarket Des Moines (Principal Park Parking Lot) and then proceed to El Bait Shop, Hessen Haus and the Royal Mile. At each of these locations, those in costume will be offered a customary herbal liqueur shot which is meant to disperse winter’s ghosts.
The parade will begin at the Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2019 private preview event, “‘Twas the Night Before #CDM2019”, at Principal Park where those in costume will receive free admission. Follow St. Nikolaus and Santa Claus around the festival grounds to interact with attendees (remember, Krampus doesn’t talk; the mask will do all the talking for you!)
Spectators who want to attend “‘Twas the Night Before #CDM2019” at Principal Park will need to purchase tickets.
If you will be participating in costume, please contact Suzanne Hull at [email protected] for additional information.
Who is Krampus?
• Hear the proper pronunciation: https://en.pons.com/translate/dictionary-of-german-spelling/Krampus Krampus is pronounced “krohm-poo-s” as in “con & puss,” NOT “kram-puh-s” as in “campus.
• Krampus | Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus
• Video: Top 5 Krampus Facts and Origin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE_Mmy8PEc0
• Video: Krampus parade in Hollabrunn, Austria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOecWdY9OAk
• Video: Who Is Krampus? | National Geographic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrKL7D7QZRA
Don’t have a Krampus costume? Here are a few resources:
• https://www.krampusmasks.com/
• https://www.etsy.com/market/krampus_costume
• http://krampuslosangeles.com/austrian-suits-masks-for-sale/
• Amazon: http://ow.ly/G15B50u3HDn
DMEHA at Des Moines Arts Festival – Wrap up!
Check out the photos below from our booth at the Des Moines Arts Festival. The Prairie Meadows Community Outreach Program allows non-profit organizations to connect with the public. Both children and adults had a fun time making our craft and learning more about Des Moines European Heritage Association and Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
