A holly jolly Hayden weekend
ReaAnne, left, and Hallie Randall sips hot cocoa by the open fire at the Hayden Chamber of Commerce's inaugural Outdoor European Christmas Market Friday evening. (MADISON HARDY/Press)
Mulled wine was a-brewing, and the cocoa was hot at the Outdoor European Christmas Market in Hayden on Friday night.
Hosted by the Hayden Chamber of Commerce, the inaugural event was inspired by traditional Christkindlmarts seen throughout Europe.
“Everything is fabulous,” chamber executive director Andrea Fulks said. “We have our fireplaces going, twinkly lights up, mulled wine, hot cocoa and cider bar, and, oh yes, the German sausage man.
“He’s the wurst man in town,” she said with a laugh.
Standing around the fire with hot cocoa in hand were the Randall family from Hayden. They had just bought an ornament, baklava and were hoping to get some last-minute Christmas shopping done.
“This is great and so close to our house,” Katie Randall said. “We’re just having a fun family night out.”
The Outdoor European Christmas Market continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at McIntire Family Park.
Market attendees will find:
• Antique and vintage items
• Homemade craft and gift vendors
• Food trucks with a European flair
• Hot spiced mulled wine, cider and hot cocoa
• Live music
• Father Christmas
With 55 vendors to choose from, there is sure to be something for everyone.
Tickets cost $5 at the door. Fulks said the event had already sold 300 presale tickets, and more festive friends were arriving by the minute.
“We’ve had at least 100 or so people coming through,” Fulks said. “The Hayden Chamber is up-and-coming.”
For those looking for even more holly and jolly, the city's annual Hayden Lights Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting also begins tonight at 5 p.m.
Starting at Hayden Avenue, the parade procession will proceed south down Government Way to Honeysuckle Avenue. Government Way will be closed to the public between Hayden and Honeysuckle Avenue until all floats have passed.
Parade watchers can then join market-goers in the park to sing carols ahead of the Hayden Christmas tree-lighting ceremony — featuring a special appearance from Santa Claus.
Donations will be accepted for the U.S. Maritime Resource Center Toys for Tots campaign. P1FCU will also provide giveaways.
The event was made possible through donations by P1FCU, Dick Panabaker, Bill Batdorf, Super 1 Foods, the Hayden Veterans Commission, and Hayden Parks, Recreation & Community Forestry Commission.
City info: 208-209-1080.