Sparta Kriskindlmarkt celebrates holidays in traditional German spirit

SPARTA, Wis. — A market in Sparta is helping community members get festive in the traditional German spirit.

The Kriskindlmarkt is in its second year in downtown Sparta, offering holiday decorations, food and horse-drawn carriage rides to the Sparta holiday lights.

Over 30 different artists and organizations have booths over the three weekends the market is open, and there is also a stage open for carolers.

Organizers say they tried their best to put in realistic German touches.

“This is a traditional German holiday market,” volunteer Amy Bernath said. “We tried to make it as authentic as we could. Some of the folks that were instrumental in getting this thing started either came from Germany or have been to Germany several times.”

The market will be open one more weekend: Friday, Dec. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.