Longtime event draws crowds to Harmony
HARMONY — With warms mugs of glühwein in hand, the people of Harmony and neighboring communities gathered over the weekend to celebrate their German roots.
WeihnachtsMarkt, which in German translates to “Christmas market,” began in downtown Harmony Saturday. By the time the fun ended Sunday afternoon, the event's organizers received between 4,000 and 4,500 visitors.
Gwen Lutz of Zelienople, one of the event's co-chairs, said there was a great showing Saturday despite the chilly weather. The event raises money for Historic Harmony, commonly known as the Harmony Museum.
“This helps keep the lights on and the roof intact,” Lutz explained. “It's also part of our mission to spread joy to the community. Zelienople and Harmony both still have a lot of the original settlers' descendants living here today.”
Harmony has held the event for so long its organizers have lost track of exactly how many years it has been. Lutz said this was at least the event's 19th year.
It began as a craft show dedicated to artisan goods. Today, about 40 artisans still display and sell their wares at the show, and a mass of other attractions have joined.
Visitors could take self-guided tours of the Harmony Museum. Horse and wagons carried visitors around town, while festive German music carried through the crisp air.
German food and drink were among the most popular attractions. Rodney Gasch, president of Historic Harmony, manned the glühwein station, ladling the warm liquid into visitors' mugs. Glühwein is a spice wine drink served warm.
“The crowd's been great,” Gasch said, standing over a vat of glühwein. “It was real busy early on, and we've stayed busy since.”
Gasch wore lederhosen — traditional knee-length leather breeches — during the event. He insisted he felt warm despite his exposed legs.
“I'm working over a hot stove, so that helps,” he said.
Historic Harmony maintains a collection of nine historic properties in the Harmony area. Seven are buildings.
The heritage maintained in those buildings and historic sites is virtually all German. Lutz said both Harmony and Zelienople could still be considered German communities today.
Kari Arndt and Matt Beck wandered through the event Saturday evening enjoying the various craft booths. Both have German heritage and said they were happy to celebrate it.
“We've enjoyed the good food and all the great times,” Arndt said.
The pair carried with them an armful of wood goods — specifics won't be reported, as they were Christmas gifts — made by Gregg Kristophel. Lutz said Kristophel was among the longest-tenured craftsmen at the market.
Kristophel remembers first selling at a precursor celebration known as Dankfest in Harmony more than 30 years ago. He and his wife, Deb, sell at 30 to 35 similar shows per year, but Harmony's is a favorite.
“This is our hometown show,” Gregg said. “We know everybody.”
