MONROE - Black Friday doesn't just take people to big-box stores - in Monroe it brought them to Turner Hall where almost 40 vendors were showing off their homemade and handmade goods at Christkindlmarkt the day after Thanksgiving.
The event will continue today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What originated in the 14th century in Germany was a busy place in Monroe as many came out to see what goodies were offered. The small booths set up in the Grand Hall were meant to mimic the historic and traditional markets in Germany.
The annual tradition has been led for several years by Deb Krauss Smith, who said this is the event's 15th consecutive year but its 18th year in total. It was brought back, she said, when Monroe resident Inge Brockman requested it. Krauss Smith said restarting the event was the perfect way to follow the mission and culture of Turner Hall and keep alive old traditions.
"It's evolved over the years," Krauss Smith said of the event. "We have 38 vendors this year, and we're only limited by space. We've had to turn some away."
Turner Hall is Swiss, but Switzerland holds similar events, and Christkindlmarkt has gained a positive response from vendors and shoppers, no matter their background.
Krauss Smith said the event isn't a craft fair as much as it is more artisan. Shoppers checked out a variety of personal and handmade Christmas items, including Old World European folk art such as Scherenschnitte, or scissor cuttings, Kerbschnitte, which is chip-carving in wood, or wood-carvings known as Holzschnitte. The Monroe Swiss Singers have baked Swiss specialties, including Bratzeli cookies, Zopf braided bread and Spitzbuben cookies.
Julie Johnson, working the Swiss Singers booth, said their most popular item had been Martha Bernet's Bratzeli. Shoppers could enter another room at Turner Hall for more vendors. Doll clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and Swiss folk art were among many items offered for shoppers.
Ernie Halbheer and his wife, Gisela, are longtime members of Turner Hall and love coming to the annual event. It's a place to relax, have a treat and visit with old friends while shopping, he said.
Traditional Gluhwein, a hot spiced wine, and a Swiss treat were easy to find. Kline's Kitchen and Grandma Staada's Stollen worked together to offer up treats like pear bread and cream horns for shoppers.
Three times during the day, Samichlaus, Switzerland's version of St. Nick, paid a visit to any children in attendance. If there were no children, Samichlaus wasn't afraid to question adults as to whether or not they thought they were on the "good list."
If they didn't make the cut, they were sent with Schmutzli, Samichlaus' gloomy partner from the Black Forest. It's all part of the German tradition.
Located at 1217 17th Ave., two blocks south of the Square, the Swiss Emmental-style chalet is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places and is handicapped-accessible. More information is available at http://www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org/christkindlmarkt.html or by visiting Turner Hall's Facebook page.
The event will continue today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What originated in the 14th century in Germany was a busy place in Monroe as many came out to see what goodies were offered. The small booths set up in the Grand Hall were meant to mimic the historic and traditional markets in Germany.
The annual tradition has been led for several years by Deb Krauss Smith, who said this is the event's 15th consecutive year but its 18th year in total. It was brought back, she said, when Monroe resident Inge Brockman requested it. Krauss Smith said restarting the event was the perfect way to follow the mission and culture of Turner Hall and keep alive old traditions.
"It's evolved over the years," Krauss Smith said of the event. "We have 38 vendors this year, and we're only limited by space. We've had to turn some away."
Turner Hall is Swiss, but Switzerland holds similar events, and Christkindlmarkt has gained a positive response from vendors and shoppers, no matter their background.
Krauss Smith said the event isn't a craft fair as much as it is more artisan. Shoppers checked out a variety of personal and handmade Christmas items, including Old World European folk art such as Scherenschnitte, or scissor cuttings, Kerbschnitte, which is chip-carving in wood, or wood-carvings known as Holzschnitte. The Monroe Swiss Singers have baked Swiss specialties, including Bratzeli cookies, Zopf braided bread and Spitzbuben cookies.
Julie Johnson, working the Swiss Singers booth, said their most popular item had been Martha Bernet's Bratzeli. Shoppers could enter another room at Turner Hall for more vendors. Doll clothing, jewelry, holiday decorations and Swiss folk art were among many items offered for shoppers.
Ernie Halbheer and his wife, Gisela, are longtime members of Turner Hall and love coming to the annual event. It's a place to relax, have a treat and visit with old friends while shopping, he said.
Traditional Gluhwein, a hot spiced wine, and a Swiss treat were easy to find. Kline's Kitchen and Grandma Staada's Stollen worked together to offer up treats like pear bread and cream horns for shoppers.
Three times during the day, Samichlaus, Switzerland's version of St. Nick, paid a visit to any children in attendance. If there were no children, Samichlaus wasn't afraid to question adults as to whether or not they thought they were on the "good list."
If they didn't make the cut, they were sent with Schmutzli, Samichlaus' gloomy partner from the Black Forest. It's all part of the German tradition.
Located at 1217 17th Ave., two blocks south of the Square, the Swiss Emmental-style chalet is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places and is handicapped-accessible. More information is available at http://www.TurnerHallofMonroe.org/christkindlmarkt.html or by visiting Turner Hall's Facebook page.