For five years, the Morfey family — Chad, Kristin and their six children — called the small town of Kaschenbach, Germany, home. It was their last duty station before Chad retired from the U.S. Air Force. When the family returned to the U.S., eldest daughter Mikayla embraced a mission of her own — to bring a festive German tradition they experienced to their new community in rural Illinois.
Before leaving Germany, Chad and Kristin purchased an old bed and breakfast on Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative lines, sight unseen, in Atwood. “It took about three months to get all of our things, so we [slept] in sleeping bags on the floor,” says Kristin. It was then, she adds, that Mikayla first shared her idea of hosting a German Christmas Market.
German Christmas markets date back to the Middle Ages. Known as a “Weihnachtsmarkt” in the German language, these open-air winter street markets typically feature entertainment, food and a myriad of handmade items for sale.
Kristin and Chad, then occupied with the never-ending to-do list that comes with owning a large, dated home, were initially against it. Mikayla, however, was not deterred. “She’s been begging us for years,” Kristin laughs. In fact, it wasn’t until the family witnessed a “sign” that her wish came true.
Previous neighbors had put up a large fence, “an eyesore,” according to Kristin, and the new owners agreed. “My daughter [said], ‘That’s it. If that fence comes down … we’re going to build a Christmas market.’ We’re like, ‘No, no, no, no,’” Kristin says. “Two weeks later, a storm came through, and the entire fence had fallen. So, my daughter got her dream, and she spent a year just planning, organizing [and] getting vendors.”
The Morfeys planned for 500 guests the first year, so they had to scramble when 3,000 people showed up. Mikayla, detail-oriented and high energy, says they didn’t let the challenges get in the way. “My mindset the entire weekend [was] ‘make it happen,’” she adds.
This year’s multifaceted market boasts more than 30 vendors, selling everything from crafts to gourmet food and skincare products, toys, decor, clothing and jewelry. Local musicians will perform, with special guest Olivia Minogue, a former contestant on “The Voice.” Other elements of the market include a live nativity scene, kids’ activities and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Food trucks will also be onsite.
Mikayla, a case worker for Cunningham Children’s Home, jokes that the market is her other full-time job. “Everyone really enjoyed it … that meant the world to me. It made it worth all the hard work and stress,” she says, adding, “We couldn’t have done it without the community, without our sponsors, without people volunteering.”
As for the future of the market, she says her mission remains intact. “[I’m] hoping to do this until someone tells me I can’t,” she laughs. “I’m young and spry — let’s keep going.”
Edgewood Farm
325 N. 1475 East, Atwood
Admission is $2; children 12 and under are free.
Hours:
Dec. 6, 2024: 5-9 p.m.
Dec. 7, 2024: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Dec. 8, 2024: 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
