The Weihnachts Markt was held in collaboration with New Ulm’s Downtown Action Team, New Ulm Area Chamber, Heart of New Ulm and the City of New Ulm. The goal was to create an outdoor holiday event before the Parade of Lights.

The Weihnachts Markt featured vendor booths in the park, food trucks on German Street adjacent to the park, live musical performances, and dozens of decorated Christmas trees, including the city’s 40-foot upside-down Christmas Tree at the center of the park.

New Ulm Chamber President Sarah Warmka was excited for the turnout for the inaugural winter market. There was some concern the weather might prohibit the festival, but by noon Friday the sun was out and the wind was calm. Some snow remained on the ground from earlier in the week, but Warmka said this actually enhanced the holiday feel.

JoAnne Griebel, with the Wanda Gag House, operated a booth during the market, selling a variety of Wanda Gag-themed items. In addition, the Wanda Gag House was selling blankets ahead of the Parade of Lights later in the evening.

Mayor Kathleen Backer had the honor of lighting the 40-foot upside-down Christmas tree in German Park Friday held with the help of Miss New Ulm Evie Mages and her princesses. L to R: Miss New Ulm Evie Mages, Mayor Kathleen Backer, Princess KayLee Evans and Princess Naomi Friese.

Near the Herbie the Hedgehog statue, MomCo,an organization run through Grace Community Church, was having a S’more sale. Whitney Nelson and Kylie Brigger said the S’more station was fairly popular with kids. As the temperatures grew colder, the warm snack became fairly popular. Members of the New Ulm Fire Department were on hand to manage fires and help the younger kids properly roast marshmallows.

The market was even popular with canines. The Woof Down Bakery booth was selling dog treats. Angie Martinka, owner of Woof Down Bakery, said the most popular dog treats were apple/banana flavored treats because they were gluten free.

On the north side of the park, another animal attraction proved popular with children. A pair of live reindeer named Sugar and Maple were kept in a pen. The reindeer were brought in from Dassel. Owner Karla Lundin said it was always fun to show the reindeer off to the public.

“There are always people surprised to see that reindeer are real animals and not just part of a fairy tale,” she said. The other thing that surprised people is that both male and female reindeer grow antlers. Sugar and Maple were both female reindeer, with antlers at least a foot long.

Throughout the Weihnachts Markt, different groups took turns singing Christmas music in the park’s bandstand.

Grace Community Church choir sings “Go Tell it on a Mountain.”

Cathedral High School Honor Choir was the first to sing, followed by Kids Jing-a-Ling-a-Ling Sing Along, Grace Community Church, Ulm Sweet Ulm and the Schell’s Hobo Band.

The Weihnachts Markt came to a close at 5 p.m. with the ceremonial lighting of the 40-foot upside-down Christmas tree.

Mayor Kathleen Backer had the honor of flipping the switch on the lights. Backer said the first Weihnachts Markt was an overwhelming success.

“There were so many involved that made this possible, including the community who showed up,” she said.

The Shell’s Hobo Band plays Christmas music from the German Park bandstand.

Firefighter Jeremy Lieder helps four-year-old Nina Dobson roast a marshmallow for a S’more during the Weihnachtsmarkt in German Park.

One-year-old Isabelle Kurshner meets a real-life reindeer during the Weihnachtsmarkt holiday market.

Mary Golbrich examines the different Christmas trees setup in German Park for the Weihnachtsmarkt. Golbrich said she could not pick a favorite tree, they all looked great.

Members of the Ulm Sweet Ulm Singers wait their turn to sing during the Weihnachtsmarkt festival in German Park.

Hermann the German raises his sword at the 40-foot Christmas Tree is lit for the first-time this season.