By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
For the past decade, Ellinwood has kicked off the Christmas season in the area with its Christkindl Market. Ellinwood will turn into an authentic German village for an 11th season on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 1-5 p.m. Chamber Board Member and Christkindl Co-Chair Jennifer Klepper said there will be live music around an open fire pit, hayrack rides, and of course, St. Nicholas will make an appearance. Co-Chair Jonell Niles said save room for the Heritage Club's cookie-by-the-pound fundraiser.
"They have all their members cook up dozens of cookies," she said. "You get a box and fill it up with whatever selection you want and get charged a per-pound rate."
There will be more than 15 vendors at this year's event. The Ellinwood Chamber has also collected items and gift certificates from various businesses that will be raffled off.
"We have decided to move that a little later in the evening," Niles said. "We're moving it to 6 p.m. this year, and it will be at the American Legion. That way it's indoors so it's not so cold and there's lighting."
Raffle tickets are given out for every $10 spent at participating businesses, with a maximum of five tickets per visit. Beer, brats, and pretzels will be available at the American Legion.