‘Christkindlesmarkt’ is as common to anyone who is from Germany or Austria, as yard sale or flea market are to most Americans.
The term first originated in the Middle Ages, with small villages setting up street markets the month prior to Christmas, and running the event up to the day of the holiday. Now in Europe Christkindlesmarkts are often mega-events in which 1.5 to 2 million people participate in every year.
Ludowici resident, Kadee Dasher, who was born in Germany, decided to organize Long County’s first Christkindlesmarkt on Dec. 10 just outside of her Kadee’s Korner Shop on Lee Street.
The day kicked off at 2 p.m. with a crowd on hand and lasted until 6. In addition to the unique sweaters, shirts, and other attire found at Dasher’s shop being sold, there also were candles, Christmas wreathes, toys, jewelry, and just about anything you can imagine on sale.
“The items you find at Kadee’s are personalized, you get something that no one else has” said Ginger Surrency.
Kathy Jackson, a local quilter, also had some of her quilts on sale at the event and she commented on the history of the quilting profession.
“Quilting is a part of our American heritage, it’s a crafting tradition. I’m glad Kadee put this together,” Jackson said.
Other vendors, who were selling handmade crafts, included Barbara Narcarti (hand-made bags), Sharon Bearden (candles), Britta DeAngelo (teddy bears), Debra Thornton (Christmas wreaths), Gail Makar (novelties) and David Harmon (wild-game calls).
“Today went great. Someone told me we had around 150 people come through. That’s terrific. There were people from Waycross, Savannah, Claxton, Hinesville, from all over,” Dasher said.
She said she plans on making it an annual event, and encourages others to come out next year and be a part of the day.
The term first originated in the Middle Ages, with small villages setting up street markets the month prior to Christmas, and running the event up to the day of the holiday. Now in Europe Christkindlesmarkts are often mega-events in which 1.5 to 2 million people participate in every year.
Ludowici resident, Kadee Dasher, who was born in Germany, decided to organize Long County’s first Christkindlesmarkt on Dec. 10 just outside of her Kadee’s Korner Shop on Lee Street.
The day kicked off at 2 p.m. with a crowd on hand and lasted until 6. In addition to the unique sweaters, shirts, and other attire found at Dasher’s shop being sold, there also were candles, Christmas wreathes, toys, jewelry, and just about anything you can imagine on sale.
“The items you find at Kadee’s are personalized, you get something that no one else has” said Ginger Surrency.
Kathy Jackson, a local quilter, also had some of her quilts on sale at the event and she commented on the history of the quilting profession.
“Quilting is a part of our American heritage, it’s a crafting tradition. I’m glad Kadee put this together,” Jackson said.
Other vendors, who were selling handmade crafts, included Barbara Narcarti (hand-made bags), Sharon Bearden (candles), Britta DeAngelo (teddy bears), Debra Thornton (Christmas wreaths), Gail Makar (novelties) and David Harmon (wild-game calls).
“Today went great. Someone told me we had around 150 people come through. That’s terrific. There were people from Waycross, Savannah, Claxton, Hinesville, from all over,” Dasher said.
She said she plans on making it an annual event, and encourages others to come out next year and be a part of the day.