By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
One of the area's first Christmas celebrations for the past dozen years has been the Christkindlmarket in Ellinwood. The event returns for a 13th year on Saturday, Dec. 6, and will feature some new activities. Ellinwood Chamber President Nancy Baird said the day of festivities will begin at 9 a.m.
"From 9-11 a.m., Breakfast with Santa will be at the Ellinwood Grade School cafeteria," she said. "Families eat free. There will be pancakes, sausage, and eggs, and you'll have an opportunity to visit with Santa and tell him your list. We'll also have storytime with Tracy Rome, which is very entertaining. Nobody wants to miss that."
Build your own gingerbread house or get your holiday picture taken in a photo booth from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Ellinwood High School commons. That event is sponsored by EHS KAYS. While you're there, visit the Ellinwood Community-School Library's dual exhibit "Americans and the Holocaust" and "Camp Concordia" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shop in downtown Ellinwood from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Saturday. Various vendors will be set up around town with their festive merchandise. Chamber members will be handing out Chamber Bucks to random shoppers to be used during Christkindlmarket. The Shop Local raffle will be held at 6 p.m. inside the American Legion. Participants must be present to win. For every $10 spent at participating businesses beginning Thanksgiving week, shoppers will receive a ticket for the contest, up to 10 tickets.
The live nativity kicks off on the grass outside the American Legion at 5 p.m. Baird said it's a perfect way to bring in the Christmas season.
"This was perfect last year," she said. "When you've got live horses, cows, sheep, and chickens, and you have 20 little kids of various ages, it was the best."
New this year is the Christmas Music Bingo-Singo at the American Legion. Tyler Morton will provide the entertainment. Entry into the game is a non-perishable food item, and extra prizes will be handed out to those who wear their favorite ugly Christmas Sweater.