Port Jervis, NY -- Port Jervis' historic downtown business district was alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of a an old-fashioned German Christmas market all day on Sunday.
The city's Tourism Board delighted the thousands who attended the 10th annual Port Jervis Christkindlmarkt with delicious food selections, music provided by multiple venues, hilarious entertainment, beautiful hand-made and other holiday-themed gift selections, a petting zoo and pony rides, and the chance to travel the city street's via traditional horse and carriage rides.
Laura Meyer, who chairs the Tourism Board, said she and other members of the board were very pleased with the turnout and the many participants in this year's event.
"It seems like everyone is having a good time. The turnout is great, and we are very happy to have the horse and carriage rides back again this year," Meyer said.
Meyer, who was stationed at a table full of delicious candy selections, said she herself was so busy throughout the day that she hadn't been able to get around to see all of the outside booths and entertainment of mid-afternoon, but hoped to.
Booths and events were stationed inside the Erie Trackside Manor and along a closed-off section of the downtown business district. More than 100 vendors participated. Besides the petting zoo, pony rides, and horse and wagon rides, entertainment included the always-popular Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, Roaming Oompah Band, and Port Jervis' own Broome Street Tuba Christmas Band.
Christkindlmarkt is among many holiday events offered annually in Port Jervis. The night before, the city's annual Christmas Tree Lighting helped to launch the holiday season in the city. Other upcoming events include:
December 1: West End Memorial Park Tree Lighting (6 p.m., West Main Street Park)
December 2: Rumshock (veteran benefit) Gift Card Bingo (2 p.m., Elks Lodge, Rt. 6)
December 2: Tri-State Chamber of Commerce
Rick Drew Holiday Parade (4 p..m. kickoff, 2:30 p.m. lineup)
December 2 & 9: Christmas Market & Winter Wonderland (3-8 p.m., at New Century,
517 Neversink Drive, Huguenot, NY)
December 3: Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance (1 p.m. West End Beach)
December 3: St. Mary's St. Nicholas Faire (48 Ball St, 9:30-2 p.m.)
December 7: PJ Tree of Valor lighting (Orange Square/Veterans Park, 6:30 p.m.)
December 10: Whoville Returns to Port (downtown Port Jervis, 3-5 p.m.)
