Newswatch 16’s Valeria Quiñones takes us inside the Christkindl Market, which marks the start of the Christmas season for many in Mifflinburg.
MIFFLINBURG, Pa. — It’s a signature sight of the season here on Market Street in Mifflinburg — the Christmas pyramid — rising at the heart of one of the borough’s most cherished traditions: the Christkindl Market.
Christkindl Market President Matthew Wagner says the market, in its 36th year, is the oldest authentic outdoor Christkindl market in the country.
“Yes, we’ve had two visitors from Germany and Austria who’ve remarked that this is probably as authentic as what you would find in Germany,” said Wagner.
Even down to the smaller pyramids sold here, each one comes straight from Sieffen, a small village in Germany.
“We’ve had a relationship with that town, with the craft people in that town, for 36 years.”
Each pyramid is a symbol of German craftsmanship, but more importantly, a symbol of hope, light, and the Christmas story. No matter the weather, Vice President of the Christkindl Market, Jerry Rute, says tens of thousands of people come out to the market each year.
“It’s a great crowd, even though it is pretty cold out tonight, it’s part of the charm of having a Christmas market,” said Rute.
Stephanie Atherton from Millerstown says she’s been coming for the last three years.
“I really like the mittens that I get. She has a stand out there, so every time I come, it’s like I come for these, or a hat, or something. But yeah, overall, we just like to come and walk through, even though it’s cold, and get something good to eat.”
People get something good, like one of the traditional Hungarian chimney cakes, from the stand named after the sweet treat: Kurtoskalacs.
“Well, this is why they call it a chimney cake right there, the steam. Looks like a chimney, tastes like a cake,” says Kurtoskalacs vendor Ben Haines. “It’s from the border between Hungary and Slovenia, and we get our equipment here from Slovenia.”
From Europe to the borough of Mifflinburg, the Christkindl Market brings the taste and sights of tradition. The last day for the market is December 13th.