November 26, 2000
Christkindl Markt is bigger this year
By Vicki Hunker
Staff Writer
The Christkindl Markt at this year's Victorian Christmas Weekend coming up next weekend will be set up in downtown parking lot 7.
It will be part of a new shopping/eating/entertainment area where people can look at the shops at their leisure, stop for a bite to eat and sit under a tent listening to music.
"There's actually more area for booths," said Carol Yager, one of the event coordinators.
She added that there was a concern about the amount of vehicle traffic on Washington Street and possibly the safety of people visiting the market where it was previously located on the courthouse square.
Yager said the market has grown quite a bit since it was started three years ago. The move will allow more space for the expanding number of vendors. More than 40 food and merchandise sellers have shown interest in setting up this year.
Yager said she's still getting calls and she isn't sure there will be enough space available for all the vendors who want to participate.
Next to Christkindl Markt will be a 40-foot by 120-foot tent set up.
"That's where the entertainment will take place," she said.
Benches will be covered with red and green tablecloths to add a festive touch.
Across Washington Street from the parking lot on Sunday, visitors can board a trolley on Court Street which will transport them to a tour of historic homes on the east side of Tiffin. The trolley, rented from Chillicothe through Seneca County Agency Transportation, will carry 24 people on each trip back and forth.
The traditional horse-drawn trolley will be back all weekend to carry people from place to place downtown.
Children's workshops ranging from making gingerbread houses to painting Christmas ornaments will be set up at downtown businesses noon-5 p.m. both days. Many businesses will be open special hours for Christmas shoppers.
Christ's Church will have its annual live nativity scene 1-3 p.m. Saturday on the courthouse lawn.
Also back from previous years will be Breakfast with Father Christmas, Run Like the Dickens and the Christmas parade on Saturday morning. The parade will form at St. Joseph Catholic Church and go down Washington Street to Veterans Memorial Bridge.
In the afternoon, Old Trinity Episcopal Church will serve an English tea at 2 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. The church will host a 4 p.m. service featuring the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Crystal Traditions and King's Glass Engraving will be demonstrating glass blowing and glass cutting respectively.
New to Victorian Weekend this year will be expanded activities at the Lady Knights and Friends Auxiliary to the Knights of Columbus, 49 E. Perry St. The group is planning a Victorian Tea Room, animated Christmas display, craft boutique and food sales. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Also new this year is Victorian storytelling at Elmwood Assisted Living at the Shawhan from 2-4 p.m. each day.
Reed Oestreich, author of "Christmas When and Why," will be signing books both days at Tiffin Glass Museum and the Elks Lodge will be open to the public serving German dinners 3-9 p.m. and providing entertainment by accordion player Jerome Grzybowski.