Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter December | Page 7

NEWS RELEASE November 12, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: John Hendricks, Executive Director Office: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Kriskindlemarkt Returns to Sparta’s Downtown Annual Christmas Market Expands for 2018 Season. Sparta, WI – The magic of the Holiday season comes to life in the 4 th annual Kriskindlmarkt, a traditional outdoor European-style market, occurring in downtown Sparta, WI for 3 consecutive Fridays and Saturdays, beginning on Friday, 23 November. Friday hours are 4-8 PM; Saturday hours are 10 AM-8PM. The sites, smells, and sounds of the season fill the air throughout Sparta’s downtown Water Street and Mueller Square: Holiday shopping, traditional German food, cinnamon glazed roasted nuts, Holiday cookies and bake sale treats, hot apple cider, beer and gluehwein, and live entertainment. Local artisan crafters, nonprofit organizations, and service groups staff the chalet-style booths that make up the Kriskindlmarkt. Vendors change daily – sometimes twice daily – providing a wide variety of Holiday shopping opportunities. This year’s expanded event will include an additional permanent booth in Mueller Square and five additional temporary booths directly across the street on the Water Street Bridge. These additions will nearly double the size of the Kriskindlmarkt, which has drawn increasingly larger numbers of attendees since its debut in 2015. Entertainment will be ongoing throughout the event. The Sparta Area Theatre and Arts Guilt (SATAG) will be caroling and appearing as “The Silent Monks” performing the Hallelujah Chorus each Friday at 7 PM and each Saturday at 8 PM. The Sparta High School Vocal Jazz and S.H.E. groups will perform, as well as the Trinity Church Folk Group. Horse drawn carriage rides through Sparta’s historic four-corners district are offered nightly from 5-8 PM. Local school and church groups will be caroling periodically. A special “Lunch with Santa” is slated from Noon – 2 PM on closing day, December 8 th . Horse carriage rides cost $1 per person. All other events are free. Information about the Christmas Market, Holiday Parade, Lights in the Park, CP Holiday Train and other holiday events can be found on the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce website: www.bikesparta.us. The Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering community prosperity and improving the quality of life through cooperation, promotion, education and active leadership, as well as enhancing economic benefits and providing networking opportunities for members. Our Mission: “Welcoming Businesses, Unifying the Community, Creating Possibilities” For more information on the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce’s services, activities and programs, please visit: http://www.bikesparta.us/ or call [phone]. ###