German Christmas Market returns to the boardwalk

SPARTA-On Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3, Lake Mohawk’s boardwalk will be transformed into a busy German Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt). This annual event will showcase more than 40 vendors offering unique and traditional Christmas items for sale, from European chocolates, to handmade glass pieces and ornaments, wooden pyramids, nutcrackers and smoker-men. In the past, visitors have been welcomed with the tantalizing smells of traditional and American German cuisine, including German sausages, roasted nuts and warmed mulled spiced wine (Gluhwein). To add to the experience, the Sparta High School and Middle School choirs as well as local entertainers will perform holiday favorites. “It’s just a nice way to start off the holiday season. The Christmas trees are lit with white lights, everyone’s in a good mood and the smell of the cider wine adds to the ambiance of the evening,” said vendor Jen Dudziec, of Madgets Home Décor Shop. The event, which is organized by a group of local residents, raises funds for local charity organizations. Last year the event collected $5,000. This year’s funds will be donated to Big Brother Big Sister of Sussex County, the German Language Departments of the Sparta School District, and DASI in Newton. For more information, call Helena Bould at 973-726-0146.