Christmas in July Full Moon Ride
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) is partnering with Flat Tire Lounge, Nite Hawk Bar & Grill, and Whistlin’ Donkey Sports Bar and Grill for an evening ride along the High Trestle Trail on July 8 from 8pm – midnight.
Riding in either direction, stop at each of these participating bars to enjoy live music, European games, Christmas decorations and a costume contest.
Participate in the European games and your donation will go to support DMEHA’s production of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Get your team together and come out for a great time and to support our annual community event.
Let us know if you’re coming on Facebook!
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.
2017 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Entertainment Schedule
Friday, December 1, 2017
11:00 am – 3:00 pm Stu Ryan O’Brien Irish traditional, pub classics and Irish American songs everybody knows. There’s always a wee bit of clappin’, sing along and lots of laughs too!
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Top Hat Carolers The Top Hat Carolers have been performing throughout Central Iowa for 25 years. They sing traditional Christmas and contemporary holiday songs dressed in Victorian garb.
6:00 pm – 6:10 pm Opening Ceremony
6:10 pm – 6:30 pm – East High School Advanced Handbell Ensemble
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen is a polka/variety band. Get ready to dance and sing along to some fun music!
Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen
Saturday, December 2, 2017
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Central Iowa Wind Ensemble The Central Iowa Wind Ensemble is an adult symphonic band with musicians drawn from the greater Des Moines area.
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Central Iowa Wind Ensemble The Central Iowa Wind Ensemble is an adult symphonic band with musicians drawn from the greater Des Moines area.
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Heartland Youth Choir The Heartland Youth Choir, comprised of 180 singers from central Iowa, is a civic organization providing a performance-based program for youth, emphasizing musical literacy and character development.
2:50 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.
4:00 pm – 4:30 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!
5:10 pm – 5:50 pm Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Malek’s Fishermen Band Oldtime European style Polka Music
Sunday, December 3, 2017
11:10 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.
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Metro Brass Quintet The Metro Brass Quintet is based in the Des Moines, Iowa Metropolitan area and plays a wide range of music from polkas to classical to new works!
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Des Moines Chantant (strolling) Des Moines Chantant was created in 2014 by a group of French-speaking Iowans who wanted to get together and sing in French around Christmas time. We have loved it so much that we are still getting together after 3 years and love to share our French songs.
2:10 pm – 2:50 pm Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss SG Edelweiss, the award winning Bavarian dance group from St. Paul, MN, will perform traditional German and Austrian folk dances.
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm International Folk Dancing This is a spectator’s participation dance, no experience necessary, Each dance will be taught as we go and dances are from around the world with an emphasis on French Folk Dances.
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.
Maiwanderung: A Celebration of Spring
This event is FREE, but we do ask that you RSVP via email to [email protected] by Wednesday, May 3.
Join us as we celebrate Spring with a family-friendly Maiwanderung (lit: May Hike) on Saturday, May 6, from 11:30am – 2:30pm at Saylorville Cottonwood Recreation Area Site 009 (7400 NW 37th St, Ankeny).
Bring your appetite as there will be lunch available for purchase along with soda and water; please bring your own adult beverages.
Des Moines European Heritage Association will be hosting a bake sale with European delicacies. If you enjoy baking cakes and pastries, feel free to bring your own homemade baked goods to donate to the sale.
Our shelter is near woods and trails so enjoy a self-guided hike or a scavenger hunt in both German and English. Kids can participate in make/take activities to round out the afternoon.
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.
Silent Auction Tree Participation Application Opens April 3!
As a part of Christkindlmarket Des Moines, we have a unique fundraising opportunity for non-profit organizations.
We will have 15 – six to eight foot trees available for decoration that will be displayed outside during the market and sold via a silent auction. The organization that decorates the tree will receive the funds earned from Des Moines European Heritage Association following the event, and minimum bids will start at $50.
Individual organizations are responsible for all tree decorations including lights (if you choose to use them). All items used on the tree will be given to the winning bidder. Please make sure decorations are able to withstand the temperamental Iowa weather (snow, sleet, rain, and/or wind). We will do our best to protect what we can, but the trees will remain outside and uncovered for the duration of Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
Tree decorating will take place the day before the event, Thursday, November 30th.
Please fill out this form (applications open April 3) to become a participant at the Chistkindlmarket Des Moines silent auction tree decorating. Participation sign up will close July 31st. Once you have submitted your form, you will be contacted with additional information and a request for verification of your non-profit status.
If you have any questions, contact Missy Mootz at [email protected].
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.
Sponsor Spotlight | Darcy Hines Designs
Creative Sponsor Darcy Hines Designs is back again to help visually present Christkindlmarket Des Moines to our community. You may have seen her work last year in the promotional flyers, posters and signage at the event.
Darcy Hines is the owner and graphic designer at Darcy Hines Designs. Her work focuses on typography and a clean style. She enjoys working with clients who allow her to be creative with her design choices. She often works on creating brand standards and stationary.
According to Darcy, she was motivated to get involved by the unique nature of our event.
“I love the idea of bringing such a festive and creative event to Des Moines in the months where people are normally bundled up in their houses. I think it’s a great opportunity to bring people out together as families, offer them a chance to experience a culture they normally wouldn’t be able to, and breathe some light into those cold winter months with hot cider and hand-made Christmas gifts.”
Thank you for your work, Darcy!
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.
Alsatian Cuisine and Conversation a Huge Success!
Huge thank you to the Le Jardin team for hosting a three-course French dinner on Wednesday, March 22. to help raise funds for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017!
Several specialty dishes were prepared by chef Tag Grandgeorge. He also talked about his French experiences and how they influenced the food.
We also had several groups and nationalities represented: The Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa, Alliance Frances of Central Iowa, Mexico and Germany. Thank you so much for your continued support of Des Moines European Heritage Association.
Thank you to Stoy Hall and his team at Modern Woodmen of America for being our Fundraising Match Sponsor which doubled our fundraising efforts. #CDM2017 sponsor Gail’s Photography and Designs was on hand to take photos. Check out all the fun we had:
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.
#CDM2017 Vendor Announcement
We’re pleased to showcase the following vendors during Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 Gift and Specialty Item Vendors
Glaszauber Lauscha, Lauscha, Thuringia, Germany
Glaszauber Lausche is a small family business located in the “Glasbläserstadt” Lauscha in Southern Thuringia. They make handmade Christmas decorations and small glass ornaments. The town of Lauscha is considered to be the cradle of glass Christmas decorations worldwide, since the business was founded there in 1847.
Offering: Hand-blown glass ornaments
Price Range: $20 – $120
German Gifts and Specialty Items
Offering: Various gifts and foods of Germany
Price Range: $2 – $100
Worldly Goods, Ames, IA
Worldly Goods is a Fair Trade nonprofit gift store located in Ames since 1987. Our unique Fair Trade gifts are handmade from over 50 developing countries. Volunteers share artisan stories.
Offering: Fair Trade items from around the world focusing on Christmas ornaments and decorations. Additional items that have a European heritage theme including Fair Trade stocking stuffers, coffee, tea, chocolate and other Fair Trade foods that are prepackaged.
Price Range: $1-125
TeaGeschwendner, Chicago, IL
Tea shop with natural and organic teas.
Offering: Premium loose leaf teas and tea accessories: Christmas teas: Black Christmas tea, Snowman greet teas, including Spices for Glühwein, herbal teas. Link to the teas:http://shop.tgtea.com/. Also tea accessories: Cast iron teapots, ceramic teapots, mugs and infusers.
The Permanent Collection Letterpress + Design Studio, Des Moines, IA
Vintage letterpress printed art prints, cards, stationery sets on elegant paper
Offering: Art prints, cards, stationery sets, holiday cards, and coasters
Price Range: $5-$55
Chocolaterie Stam, Des Moines, IA
Chocolaterie Stam, Fine European Chocolates since 1913
Offering: Hot chocolate, stroopwafel, coffee, prepacks
Price Range: $2 – $25
Andy Klindt – Chainsaw Carvings, Des Moines, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Andy Klindt is an Iowa artisan specializing in chainsaw sculpture and metal design. Fanciful, functional, or a fusion of each…watching Andy craft original pieces is sure to delight people of all ages!
Offering: Chainsaw carvings, hand-forged metal items, and mixed metal and wood items
Price Range: $20 – $2000
Pickle Creek Herbs, Fairfield, IA
Pickle Creek Herbs is a family farm in SE Iowa. They handcraft herb-infused olive oils & vinegars, jams, soaps, salves, and balms using herbs we grow in our gardens. They make everything by hand using our own recipes and herbs we grow in our Iowa garden.
Offering: Herb-infused olive oils and vinegars, herbal jams, herbal soaps, salves, and balms. They will also offer festive gift boxes and gift bags of our items.
Price Range: $3 – $22
Three Smooth Stones, Des Moines, IA
Betty Chamness Trost of Three Smooth Stones creates handmade wet-felted and embroidered stones, and painted mandala stones that fit beautifully into the palm of your hand for comfort and meditation.
Offering: Smooth stones surrounded with wool fiber using the wet-felting technique and then hand embroidered in colorful garden designs. On the round stones she paints mesmerizing mandala designs using dots of acrylic paint. Each of her stone pieces are hand made and fit beautifully into the palm of your hand for soothing comfort and meditation. She creates felted pictures using wool fibers and needle and wet-felting techniques, free motion machine quilting, hand embroidery, silk fibers, and beads. And she knits, then wet-felts luscious wool slippers for men and women. The best part of her day is engaging with people and enjoying their excitement at seeing her creations.
Price Range: $5 – $150
museum of danish america, Elk Horn, IA
The Museum of Danish America booth will carry items from its Design Store reflecting Danish culture and Danish, Danish-American and Scandinavian artists, artisans and product designers.
Offering: Gift items of Danish, Danish-American and Scandinavian design – Christmas decorations, papirklip, die-cuts, hand towels, coffee mugs
Price Range: $5 – $100
Amana Woolen Mill, Amana, IA
The Amana Woolen Mill crafting Iowa made textiles since 1855.
Offering: Amana crafted blankets, scarves, totes, aprons & table runners
Price Range: $30 – $150
Suri Oaks at Grace Ranch, Hudson, WI
Suri Oaks Alpaca Fashions
Offering: alpaca socks, hats, mittens, scarves, gloves, dryer balls, capes
Price Range: $15 – $250
Jett and Monkey’s, Des Moines, IA
Jett and Monkey’s offers hunde und katzen (dogs and cats) holiday gifts, including treats, toys and European Christmas ornaments. Visit our store in the East Village!
Offering: Holiday pet gifts, including treats, toys and European Christmas ornaments.
Price Range: $3 – $50
Indianola Glass Creations, Indianola, IA | DEMONSTRATION
Come in and enjoy the world of glass. Indianola Glass Creations designs and creates colorful Stained and Fused Glass ornaments, suncatchers, jewelry and home decor. They will be demonstrating blown glass ornaments.
Offering: Stained Glass, Fused Glass & Blown Glass ornaments and suncatchers. Fused glass and china jewelry. Fused & Stained Glass clocks and home decor art pieces. Wine bottle tealights.
Price Range: $12 – $150
Wild Cherry Spoon Co, Rock Island, IL | DEMONSTRATION
Wild Cherry Spoon Co. handcarves unique, one of a kind, pieces of wooden kitchenware along the banks of the Mississippi, in Rock Island, IL.
Offering: Handcarved wooden: spoons, spatulas, kitchen utensils, rice paddles, chopsticks, cutting/cheese boards, baby spoons, cheese spreaders, pizza paddles and pizza cutters, coffee and ice cream scoops.
Price Range: $5 – $75
Sugarplums, Altoona, IA
Delicious homemade gingerbread and lebkuchen featuring fancy cookies and houses. Traditionally decorated cookies are often purchased at Christmas markets to present to loved ones.
Offering: Fancy gingerbread/lebkuchen houses and cookies with festive German expressions such as, Frohe Weihnachten, Ich liebe dich, Mein Schatz, etc.
Price Range: $3 – $50
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 Food & Beverage Vendors
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
Taste of Ukraine
Offering: Cheburekie, Perogies, Pelmenie, sweet rolls, cake, candy
Price Range: $2 – $10
Mucky Duck Pub, Ames, IA
The Mucky Duck Pub is a full service, British-style public house. At the Mucky Duck we are pleased to welcome people of all ages and from all walks of life – we believe that drinking, eating and having fun together is a very important part of life! We have a great selection of beer from the UK, the USA and Iowa. We also serve some classic British dishes such as fish and chips and bangers and mash but we are also well know for our burgers and tenderloins. At the market we are pleased to be serving some British Christmas classics such as mince pies and Christmas pudding, along with some of the staples from our restaurant.
Offering: Bangers & Mash, Fish & Chips, Baked Potato Filled w/ Vegetarian or Chicken Curry, Vegetarian or Chicken Curry over rice, chili, Banked Potato covered with chili, Christmas Pudding w/ Brandy Butter, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Hot Tea, Coffee. Retail items: Christmas crackers, Turkish Delight, Tubs of assorted chocolates (Roses or Quality Street)
Price Range: $5 – $10
Salt & Pretzel, Ames, IA
Salt and Pretzel Co. is family-owned and operated in Ames, Iowa. They started the business in 2015 with the idea of bringing unique, soft pretzels to the community. Each pretzel is carefully crafted with the best ingredients and produced with state of the art equipment to create exceptional pretzels. All of their are made in their FDA-inspected bakery that meets all food safety and GMP requirements.
Offering: Bavarian-style pretzels and sauces, German and European Sausages, European baked products.
Price Range: $3 – $7
Top of the Hill Nuts, Grinnell, IA
Offering: Roasted almonds, cashews, pecans with cinnamon or maple flavoring
Price Range: $5 – $15
Curbin Cuisine, Granger, IA
State of the art, wickedly designed bright green food truck.
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.
Signature Beer to be Brewed for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 organizers are pleased to announce their partnership with Confluence Brewing Company to brew a signature beer for #CDM2017.
Confluence brews 30 – 40 different beers each year. They often partner with area non-profits to help bring awareness to their cause through a unique and related recipe. Confluence cares about the creativity and craftsmanship that goes into making excellent beer, and knows that excellent beer can bring people together.
Through this partnership, you can look forward to:
- A signature beer release fundraiser at Confluence Brewing Company in November 2017.
- A Firkin tapping of our signature beer at #CDM2017.
- Our signature beer available at retail locations prior to #CDM2017 and during the holiday season.
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 | 2017 In-Kind Sponsor
As we continue to host fundraising events and get ready to produce Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017, 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 2017 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 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.”
Take a look at Gail’s Facebook Fan Page to see her great work. You’ll see Gail at all of our 2017 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.
Modern Woodmen of America | Fundraising Match Sponsor
Christkindlmarket Des Moines relies on donations to help bring our work to life. We appreciate all our sponsors and donations that come from individuals or are collected at fundraisers.
With that said, wouldn’t it be great if dollars could double themselves and have twice the impact? Definitely! That’s why we’re so excited to welcome Stoy Hall and Modern Woodmen of America back as our fundraising match sponsor for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017.
Founded in 1833, Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial service organization. They offer life insurance, annuity and investments. In addition to their services, Modern Woodmen of America offers benefits to members through their fraternal programs. Chapters across the nation are able to host events and activities that help them invest in their communities. These include educational and social events, as well as volunteer opportunities. Matching fund programs, like the one supporting Christkindlmarket Des Moines, help the organization get involved in the communities where it operates.
Stoy has been with the organization for six years, including an internship. According to him, finding ways to participate in the community is an important part of being in a fraternal organization. Stoy and a few of his colleagues volunteered to help set up at Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016.
“The ability to do something in the community near Christmas with cultural influences is a no brainer. I have done a lot of research on them and I believe Des Moines will be a great fit for the event, ” he said.
The first event in 2017 to be matched by Stoy and MWA will be “Alsatian Cuisine and Conversation” on May 22. Keep an eye on our Facebook Page and the blog to learn more.
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.