Meet Your Event Planning Committee Members | Mike Mendenhall
Tell us about yourself.
Mike grew up on the east side of Des Moines and attended East High School. Upon graduating, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass communications, with a minor in music performance from the University of Iowa. Mike currently resides in Des Moines, and is the editor of two weekly newspapers in the state: Jasper County Tribune and Prairie City News. Mike enjoys Star Wars lore, indie classical and jazz music, and listening to Iowa Public Radio.
Why are you involved with Christkindlmarket Des Moines?
Mike learned about Christkindlmarket Des Moines while taking in the sights and sounds of the Des Moines Arts Festival this summer. Mike is volunteering to help a worthwhile culturally-minded non-profit become established in the Greater Des Moines Area.
Why should others become involved?
Mike believes others should get involved because it is an opportunity to learn about ancestry and the
commonalities of European traditions.
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 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.
Volunteer at Christkindlmarket Des Moines
Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) invites you to be a part of something great: The inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Volunteers are integral to a successful community event. We need your help and we have several volunteer opportunities to choose from whether you’re looking for just yourself or a group. Be sure to include family members, friends and others who could join you to make it more fun!
No-shows can cause great difficulties for the planning and production of Christkindlmarket Des Moines. We ask that you report on time and remain on task for the duration of your shift(s). All volunteers must be at least 16 years old when they report for their volunteer shift. Those dealing with alcohol must be at least 21 years old when they report for their volunteer shift.
Volunteer shifts range of 2-3 hours and an estimated 400+ volunteers will be needed to make #CDM2016 possible.
Sign up now with VolunteerLocal!
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Setup
Install Christmas trees, assemble signage, hang stringed lights, decorate wooden vendor stalls, etc. **Some lifting may be required**
Vendor Stall Setup
Construct pre-fabricated wooden vendor stalls. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Vendor Assistant
Help vendors unload their merchandise as well as with vendor set up and tear down.
Vendor Relations
Watch vendor’s booths should they need to take a break.
Waste Removal Elves
Empty the waste receptacles into a large roll-off bin as needed.
DMEHA KinderKorner Booth
Provide a European-centric activity for children. All supplies provided.
DMEHA Information Area
Answer attendee’s questions, provide information on DMEHA, hand out site maps, entertainment schedules, etc.
Programming Stage Volunteer
Assist the Programming site leaders to ensure that performers have arrived, are prepared to take the stage and have what they need to perform.
Arts Project Grant Survey Deployment
Circulate throughout the programming area during performances to deploy a survey to capture attendee demographic information.
ID Checkers
Check the IDs of attendees who would like to drink alcoholic beverages.
Beer Pourers
Work with the Iowa Beer Bus team to serve beer to attendees.
Glühwein Sales
Serve warm, mulled wine from a wooden vendor stall to eager attendees.
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sales
Sell hot chocolate, hot cider, water, etc. to attendees.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines Tear Down
Remove Christmas trees, disassemble signage, remove stringed lights, remove decorations from wooden vendor stalls. **Some lifting may be required**
Vendor Stall Tear Down
Tear down pre-fabricated wooden vendor stalls. **Heavy lifting definitely required**
Volunteer Relations
Greet and check-in volunteers, direct volunteers to assigned areas, and keep Volunteer Headquarters organized.
Sign up now with VolunteerLocal!
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.
Platinum Sponsor | Ingersoll Wine and Spirits
DMEHA is proud to announce the support of Ingersoll Wine & Spirits as a Platinum sponsor. Ingersoll Wine & Spirits is a locally-owned and family operated business that has been around the Des Moines area for 19 years. Due to their success, Ingersoll Wine & Spirits opened their second store in October of 2001 and continues to commit their business to providing their customers with “quality products at a reasonable price.”
In addition to being a Platinum sponsor for Christkindlmarket Des Moines, Ingersoll Wine & Spirits is providing the Glühwein for Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016. Glühwein is a traditional German red wine that is heated, flavored with seasonal spices such as cinnamon sticks, orange juice, cloves, zest, and sugar.
Thank you Ingersoll Wine & Spirits for being a Platinum sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines and we look forward to their support for the first annual event.
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.
Follow-up from The World Food and Music Festival
Thank you to all who attended the Des Moines World Food and Music Festival and came to visit the Des Moines European Heritage Association booth. The festival was filled with food, friends, and families, and provided DMEHA and Christkindlmarket a way to get more of the public aware of our upcoming events and activities.
We had several wonderful volunteers manning the booth and passing out our informational sheets for CDM and DMEHA. Volunteers helped children make Christmas ornaments as our gift to them and we received feedback and talked to interested parties in either coming to the festival or getting our monthly newsletter. Thank you once again to everyone who attended and helped make it such a success.
Silver Sponsor | Sons of Norway
We’re pleased to announce that the Sons of Norway are a Silver Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines!
“The Sons of Norway was organized as a fraternal benefit society by 18 Norwegian immigrants in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 16, 1895. The purposes and goals of the Founders were to protect members of Sons of Norway and their families during financial hardships when there was sickness or death in the family. Over the years, the mission of Sons of Norway has expanded to include the preservation of Norwegian heritage and culture in American society. They are now the largest Norwegian organization outside Norway.” (Sons of Norway)
Thank you for your support!
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.