Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: A Home for EveryBunny
A Home for EveryBunny is back for a second year of tree decorating at the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction. They are putting their furry friends on pedestals with their theme: ‘Royal Rabbits.”
House bunnies know they are the kings and queens of their homes. To celebrate these royal creatures, the tree will feature a variety of handcrafted bunny ornaments set amongst a mix of silver and purple garland, lights, and ornaments.
A Home for EveryBunny is Iowa’s only rabbit-specific rescue. Though rabbits are the third most popular pet in the US, they don’t typically get the unique care that their species requires. The goal of this organization is to provide the specific care required for rabbits, as well as to raise awareness of how amazing house rabbits are.
For more information on A Home for EveryBunny, please visit their website.
What’s new at CDM2018
As festival organizers, we try to bring something new or different to Christkindlmarket Des Moines each year. Check out what’s new for #CDM2018.
1. Wander to Walnut for additional food, beer and Glühwein – Due to the increase in vendors, we’ve expanded the venue to include Walnut Street, so be sure to “Wander to Walnut”.
2. Additional Glühwein serving area on Walnut Street – With an expanded venue comes an additional Glühwein serving area to help meet your demands! We will have a total of three Glühwein and two beer serving areas at Christkindlmarket Des Moines this year.
3. 33 vendors: 16 vendors serving food, 17 gift and specialty vendors (24 vendors in 2017, 14 in 2016)
4. New vendors: Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin, Coal Ridge Crafts, DamonLayne Woodworking, On The HIll, Steinbach, Lost Planet Forge, Parlo Pizza, Ruhland’s Strudel Haus, KMachine Shed, Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt and JKafe
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines
GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center in Des Moines is another new participant in this years’ Silent Auction. They provide free programs that are educational and therapeutic in nature to individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood, their families and the community.
“GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center is excited to be a part of Christkindlmarket Des Moines!” shares, Jessica Lane, Site Director.
“Willy Wonka is the perfect opportunity to use Pure Imagination in honor of our ‘i have a Voice’ Gala. Our tree will feature bright purples, golds, and magentas exuding the wacky world of Wonka! It’s going to be scrumdidilyupmptious with handmade fused glass ornaments designed, cut, and fired inside GiGi’s Playhouse by adults in the GiGi University Career Development program.”
GiGi’s playhouse will also have a ‘Buy Now’ option for their tree for $321 in honor of 3 copies of the 21st chromosome.
For more information about GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines, please visit their website.
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Veterans in Agriculture
We are excited to welcome back a three-year participant of the Silent Auction, Veterans in Agriculture (VIA). They have helped beautify Christkindlemarket Des Moines every year representing their organization with gorgeous trees. This years’ theme is “Life on the Farm.”
“The tree will have a slight rustic farm theme with tin farm animals and silver milk cans,” explains VIA representative, Beth Graubau.
“It will also be decorated with red trucks, tractors, and red barns. A chain made out of blue jeans seams will be wrapped around the tree. At its base will sit a small red Farm Fresh bushel basket and a sheep wearing a bandana. The tree will be topped with a small rooster weather vane. Red, silver, and a few blue ornaments will represent military service to our country.”
Veterans In Agriculture are farmers, veterans, agri-business professional, educators, and other service providers dedicated to empowering veterans to thrive in Iowa agriculture. They provide three main programs/resources to help fulfil their mission statement: The Veterans in Agriculture Network, VIA Resource Guide, Rural America Hiring Heroes, and Find a Farmer Veteran.
For more information on Veterans In Agriculture, please visit their website.www.veteransinagriculture.org
Bratwurst Imbiß am Markt
A new tradition in 2018 is Bratwurst Imbiss am Markt (Brat stand at the market) run by Des Moines European Heritage Association, the non-profit responsible for the production of Christkindlamarket Des Moines.
Enjoy a 1/4 lb, coarse-ground, German–style pork bratwurst grilled to perfection.
Usinger’s produces many kinds of sausages and meats, in many cases using traditional 19th-century recipes provided by its founder, Fred Usinger of Wehen, Germany. The family-owned company, now in it’s fourth generation, continues to live its slogan of providing “America’s Finest Sausage”.
Offering: Usinger’s Bratwurst – $5, bottled water – $1
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: Greater Des Moines Soap Box Derby Association
The Greater Des Moines Soap Box Derby Association is one of nine non-profit new to the Christkindlmarket Des Moines Silent Auction this year.
According to their website, “The mission of the Greater Des Moines Soap Box Derby Association is to educate and inspire youth through fair and honest competition and mentorship.”
“We are a great family oriented competitive racing organization,” explains representative, Maria Hackett. “Our organization promotes family teamwork where the parent is not a spectator but a team member working alongside their child. This activity strengthens family bonds and encourages spending time together.”
“We support fair/equal opportunity racing for children. This is the only sport that I can think of that allows boys and girls to compete against each other in a competitive environment.”
The Greater Des Moines Soap Box Derby Association are excited to bring a racing themed tree to Christkindlmarket 2018.
For more information on the Greater Des Moines Soap Box Derby Association, please visit their website.
St. Nick’s Christkindlbier Furkin Tapping
We had a great time working with Confluence Brewing Company last year to create our very own Christkindlmarket Des Moines beer called St. Nick’s Christkindlbier.
We’ll be tapping a furkin keg at Christkindlmarket Des Moines on Friday, November 30 at 4pm on our outdoor stage. Be one of the first to try this spiced beer fresh out of the cask.
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Christkindlmarket DSM Beer Release!
Confluence Brewing Company will be releasing St. Nick’s Christkindlbier on Black Friday at the brewery and it will go out to retail locations the following week leading up to Christkindlmarket Des Moines. The new twist this year is rather than 22oz bombers the beer will be available in cans.
Look for the cans at most Hy-Vee locations in the Des Moines Metro.
Date: Friday, November 23, 2018
Location: Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315
Silent Auction Tree Blog Feature: MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums
Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ Silent Auction has become a fun and thoughtful tradition over the past three years. Each year, non-profit organizations across Iowa are invited to decorate a tree for display at the market.
MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes & Drums are first year participants in the Christkindlmarket Des Moines’ Silent Auction. They have chosen a “military and first responders” theme to represent their organization.
“The band was founded by Thomas S Coulson, a distinguished piper, who served during World War II, as a pipe major with the Essex Scottish 4th Brigade of Canada and as a piper in the Seaforth Highlanders,” explains Dawn Baldwin, the organization’s representative.
“He moved to Des Moines during the 1980s and founded the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums at that time. We are a paramilitary pipe and drum band and our uniforms are steeped in traditional attire worn both on Scottish and American soil. Our tartan is Ancient Mackenzie.”
The MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums represent the Greater Des Moines, Iowa metro area. Their primary mission is to support Active and Reserve Military Units, Law Enforcement Agencies and Fire Departments and regularly perform at the events that support these agencies.
Silent Auction bidding will take place during Christkindlmarket Des Moines November 30th– December 2nd.
For more information on the MacKenzie Highlanders Pipes and Drums, visit their website.
Silent Auction Feature
Bid Now!
Did you know Christkindlmarket Des Moines has a Silent Auction during their three-day event?!?!
Every year, Iowa non-profits are invited to decorate a live cut tree, which adds to the Christkindlmarket’s festive flare. Each organization receives 100% of the proceeds garnered by their unique tree.
We have 14 participants and 8 of those are new to this year’s silent auction. We will be featuring each of the non-profits and their tree themes in the weeks leading up to the event.
Another exciting addition to the Silent Auction this year is the ability to bid off-site. We are partnering with www.bidr.co to offer text-to-bid and a dedicated website, which will provide real time updates.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone to the fast growing Christkindlmarket Des Moines, and invite you to bid on a piece of the holiday magic!