Locals get an early start to the holidays

Dorothea and Raymond Froese sold their hand-painted boxes and frames at the Plattduetsche's German Holiday Market. The Froeses said they are planning to retire from the market after this year.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

Many vendors at the German Holiday Market sold hand-crafted items, like the holiday-painted glasses shown here.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

The Kirsten Ernst with her daughter, Victoria, 8, from left; husband, Bruce; and son, Harrison, 11, of Garden City.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

Emily Fuchs, 9, of Levittown, shopped outside at the German Holiday Market, held annually at the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square.

Jina Papadoniou/Herald

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More than 6,500 local residents attended the 14th annual German Holiday Market, or Kristkindl Markt, Nov. 26-27, at the Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square.

The market mimicked the feel of open-air holiday markets found in Germany this time of year — vendors displayed wares and sold ornaments, wreaths, brat wurst, franks, potato salad, coffee cake, cookies and other home-baked goods. Residents also sampled traditional warm Gluhwine — a mixture of red wine and spices — and German food specialties.

The event was sponsored by the Beautification Committee of the Plattduetsche House, and was hosted by the Plattduetsche Volksfest Vereen, a 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 1883. 

Garden City resident Kirsten Ernst said she and her family — daughter, Victoria, 8; husband, Bruce; and son, Harrison, 11 — come to the Plattduetsche's Holiday Parket every year. "This year the weather is great!" she said. "Overseas, they have the market no matter what the weather is like, even if there is snow on the ground. We got lucky this year."

For more information about the Plattduetsche Volksfest Vereen, contact Ed Heinsohn at (516) 732-5719.

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