Kris Kringle Market in Stephens City, Saturday Dec. 7

The Trinity Lutheran Church Kringle Market will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Kris Kringle Market is located at Trinity Lutheran Church Parish Hall on the corner of Main Street and State Route 277 (810 Fairfax Street).

Vendors will be selling BBQ Sandwiches and Cole Slaw, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut, and soft pretzels. The Lutheran Women’s Group will be selling homemade cakes, cookies, and brownies.

The Kris Kringle Market Bake Table selling scrumptious homemade cakes, cookies, and brownies is a crowd favorite. Courtesy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Chair of Social Outreach Ministry, Kim Begnaud-Hampton, said there will be a face painter available to entertain the children.

According to Begnaud-Hampton, there is planning for vendors to set up in the Trinity Lutheran Church Parish Hall to sell all kinds of Christmas crafts. “Come out enjoy the crafts of the Christmas Season, enjoy a tasty lunch, and visit our beautiful and historic church sanctuary,” Begnaud-Hampton said.

Rick Kriebel, Manager of Collections and Programs, Newtown History Center of the Stone House Foundation, in Stephens City, will be dressed and perform as Belsnickel. Belsnickel represents an old Pennsylvania Dutch tradition where the crotchety old man converses with folks and hands out gifts from a burlap sack for people who he determines to have been good. He will use his wooden switch on those who he determines to have been bad.

Rick Kriebel, dressed and performing as Belsnickel, will visit the Kris Kringle Market at Trinity Lutheran Church. Courtesy Nancy Gunderman.

Belsnickel might ask you to respond to a riddle or if you know how to sing a particular song. How you answer will determine your fate.

Belsnickel reminisces about how celebrating the Christmas season has changed over the centuries and generally pokes fun at everyone. Belsnickel will be available for photo ops at 11 am.

One of many Kris Kringle Market vendors selling crafts at Trinity Lutheran Church Parish Hall. Courtesy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Free Holiday Meal with all the fixings

As part of the monthly Community Meal offerings, Trinity Lutheran Church’s Annual Free Holiday Meal is scheduled for Wednesday December 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

The full menu includes roast turkey and dressing, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, and various pies. It is recommended to arrive early as the holiday dinner is an extremely popular event.