Romantic forest Christmas offers organic products, trees

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Romantic Christmas in the forest next to the House of Sustainability at Johanniskreuz near Trippstadt features an organic market, natural products, entertainment and children’s activities Saturday and Sunday.

The forestry information center House of Sustainability (Johanniskreuzer Strasse 1, 67705 Trippstadt) will sponsor its traditional “Romantic Christmas in the Forest” 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

A unique Christmas market will be set up amidst a forest scenery, surrounded by torches and campfires. More than 70 stands will form an organic market highlighting the Christmas tree from the forest master, venison from the local forest and arts and crafts made of wood and other natural materials.

Vendors will offer spicy food delicacies such as trout, salmon, venison, chestnut bratwurst, mushrooms, goulash, potato pancakes, goat cheese and pea soup. Sweet treats include crepes, Christmas cookies and chocolate products. There also will be vendors selling arts and crafts items typical for the region of the biosphere reserve of Palatinate Forest-North Vosges. Products include wooden jewelry, leather purses, brooms, sandstone sculptures, woolen items, candles, pottery, decoration items, wooden nativity scenes, bird houses, natural soaps, oil and vinegar.

Visitors will be able to taste organic gluehwein and buy liquors, schnapps and whiskey. Anyone interested can buy their Christmas tree and game for the Christmas dinner right here from the forest master.

Children can enjoy pony riding, crafting and a merry-go-round. Musicians with brass instruments and alphorns will provide the musical entertainment. Fire dancers are scheduled to perform 7 p.m. Saturday. Chain saw carving demonstrations are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Since there is not sufficient parking, visitors are asked to take the shuttle bus, Luchs-Bus, that leaves the Kaiserslautern main train station, Stelzenberg and Trippstadt every 15 minutes starting 1:20 p.m. Saturday and 9:20 a.m. Sunday. For a detailed bus schedule and more information, visit www.hdn-pfalz.de/index.php?id=79 (click on Luchs-Bus Fahrplan if living in the Kaiserslautern area or on Holzlaender Bus Fahrplan if living near Hermersberg or Waldfischbach).

Those coming by car, need to obey the changed traffic routing and follow the signs. For details on traffic routes and park and hike parking lots, visits www.hdn-pfalz.de

The romantic Christmas market near the House of Sustainability at Johanniskreuz near Trippstadt is surrounded by fire pillars, torches and campfires Saturday and Sunday.