The Twelve Acts of Walkersville's Christkindl

(12/21) Walkersville’s streets were lined with families and neighbors on December 7th, all eagerly awaiting the blare of the fire engine's sirens. Contrary to their usual purpose, that day the screeching sirens symbolized the start of Walkersville’s 6th Annual Christkindl Parade! Bundled up in their mittens and coats, the chilly weather didn’t stop these townspeople from supporting their local services. Twelve groups in all, volunteers braved the cold to ring in the holiday spirit for their Town.

Directly after the fire department, kicking off the parade was Walkersville High School’s Marching Band. Leading the marchers was the Color Guard, dressed in festive green and waving their snowflake adorned flags. As they traveled down Glade Road, the merry notes of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" could be heard blaring from the Marching Lions’ wind and percussion ensembles.

Just behind the band were Scout troops 1070 and 36126, and the chant "eat more candy!" could be heard from the enthusiastic boys of 1070 as they tossed candy from their float, littering the streets with sugary sweets. Girl Scout troop 36126 was dressed up in their winter attire, spreading holiday cheer with their reindeer antlers and Santa hats.

Of course it wouldn’t be a proper Walkersville parade without the library! The local Walkersville Public Library added their own literary based touch with their book costumes. Sporting the classic tale "A Christmas Carol," was librarian Mamie Gorée, who states that the Christkindl Parade is an "absolutely lovely experience, it’s a delight."

The fifth act was brought in by the FFA, navigating the streets on their tractors. Six in total, FFA students drove down Glade Rd followed by three others on horseback. Behind them was local country artist Mike Kuster playing his guitar and singing classic holiday tunes. Then came the sports trailer, with posters hung on the walls starring activities like field hockey and cheerleading, urging students to take up a sport.

Ushering in the ninth part of this parade was the Misfits Car Club, sporting their collection of vintage cars and trucks. Ten in total, everyone in the Town ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ at this club taking their style to the streets. The last three acts of the parade were local hair salon Good Hair Days, Scout troop 37185, and bringing up the rear, Walkersville’s Historical Society in a vintage 1964 VW Crew Cab Bus.

Both the Public Library and St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church opened their doors to share their warm spaces as shelters from the cold. Providing free hot chocolate and cider, St. Paul’s parishioners had their tables full of eclectic and beautiful Christmas items, along with a bake sale. However, the true star of the show was their handmade sugared nuts for sale. Fresh and warm, customers had the options of sugared almonds, pecans, or cashews. At the library, local businesses were set up, selling items from woodcrafts to handmade lamps.

Just down the street, the Walkersville Southern Railroad was celebrating the coming of the holidays with their Santa Trains. The trains took place the same weekend as the Christkindl Market and had band and choir members from the High School performing onboard for passengers. An employee and choir student, Annalyse Miranda-Ramos, loves singing on the Santa Train, stating "it’s magical to see the kids’ faces light up when singing their favorite Christmas songs and their bright smiles!"

It’s safe to say that this year’s Christkindl event was a success, and the Town of Walkersville hopes to see you next year, for the 7th Annual Christkindl Parade and Market!