Minden's annual Weihnachts Strasse Fest, German Christmas Market, opens noon today in the old C.O.D. Garage.
Toys, handicrafts, candles, ceramics and woodwork will be featured in about 30 booths. Many traditional German specialties such as stollen, gingerbread, pretzels, sausages and gluewein (hot spiced wine) as well as Chinese food will be available. Hot cider and cookies will be served by the Carson Valley Inn.
Hours of the market are noon to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The lights of the Minden gazebo will be turned on 6 p.m. tonight with the help of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Children get one free picture with Santa at Santa's house in the Christmas market.
The 12th annual Parade of Lights begins 5 p.m. Saturday at Lampe Park in Gardnerville, traveling on Highway 395 and ending in Minden Park around 6 p.m. This year's theme is Holiday Traditions from Around the World.
Live music at the Christmas Market Saturday night and a live Christmas play on Sunday afternoon. Information, Roxanne Stangle, 782-2444.
Town of Minden events schedule:
Today
-- Noon, Minden German Christmas Market opens at the C.O.D. Garage
-- 5-7 p.m., Elks Spaghetti Feed at the CVIC Hall
-- 6 p.m., Minden Park lights up for the holidays
-- 6:15 p.m. to closing, Santa in the C.O.D. Garage with one free picture per child
-- 7 p.m. to closing, Elks Christmas Tree Bingo at the CVIC Hall in Minden
Saturday, Dec. 1
-- 10 a.m., Minden German Christmas Market opens for the day at the C.O.D. Garage
-- 4-8 p.m., CVIC Hall, Children's Christmas crafts and letters to Santa
-- 4-8 p.m., Live music in the C.O.D. Garage with Ben Crocker
-- 5 p.m., Parade of Lights begins at Lampe Park in Gardnerville and ends in Minden Park approximately 6 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served compliments of Red's 395 Grill
-- 7:30 p.m., Carson Valley Little Theatre at the CVIC Hall
Sunday, Dec. 2
-- 11 a.m., Minden German Christmas Market opens for the day at the C.O.D. Garage
-- 2 p.m., Carson Valley Little Theatre in C.O.D. Garage
-- 4 p.m., German Christmas Market closes.
