’TIS THE SEASON TO SHOP

Get a head start on your holiday purchases at two outdoor markets

Story by Stephanie Jaquins T Photos by Tom Sistak and provided by Rachel Lacke

For the past few years, Rachel Lacke has sat in a hut at Ottawa’s Chris Kringle Market surrounded by her words.

Every now and then, she’ll hear a chuckle from someone reading her hand-painted, farmhouse-style signs — particularly those that belong in the bathroom.

“When someone comes in to look and I hear them laughing over a sign, it makes me happy,” Lacke says. “Life is short, you’ve got to smile!”

Visiting with marketgoers is an experience that keeps Lacke coming back every year. “I like participating for many reasons, but mainly to see the joy in people’s hearts. The Christmas season brings out the best in people.”

Lacke first got into making signs when she purchased a few signs from a Morris market. “I brought them home and looked them over and thought, ‘I can do this,’” she says. “A little research and sawdust later, here we are.”

She named her business Repurpose Me because her first project involved painting old cabinet doors she found in her in-laws’ barn.

This year she will have signs similar to those she’s had in the past — with more variation, she says, as she recently incorporated a laser into her sign making. She’s working on 3D snowflakes and Christmas trees.

Lacke will be one of 60-80 vendors at this year’s Ottawa market, depending on the weekend. Stephanie Stacy,

Sawyer Tiberi appears to pop out of a gift box while exploring under the Christmas tree�

Gifts for sale at the Repurpose Me vendor hut�

A group gathers near the Christmas tree to enjoy a hot chocolate� A wide variety of food and drink can be found at the Chris Kringle Market� Ottawa’s market is 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday on Nov. 26-28, Dec. 3-5, Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 17-19. The market takes place in the Jordan block, a green space on the south side of Main Street between La Salle and Columbus streets. The La Salle market is 4-7 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5. You’ll find the market at the city’s Second Street parking lot.

owner of event organizer Floret Events, will also have a hut for her business, Garden’s Gate Garden Center and Landscaping. Her biggest sellers are freshly cut greens and home decor.

As in the past, the market is mainly focused on selling homemade items, Stacy says. Some items for sale will include German decor, rugs, handmade ornaments, wood pieces, bath and body items, home decor and Christmas decor.

Tangled Roots Brewing Company and August Hill Winery are local favorites returning this year. The market will also feature popcorn, Bavarian hot chocolate, barbecue, candy, funnel cakes, mini apple cider donuts and pierogies.

Stacy says the market also will have family-centered activities.

“We’re still working on it, but I think it’s going to be fantastic,” she says.

You can also expect carriage rides; a children’s train; performances by a local dance school, the Illinois Valley Youth Choir and an Illinois State University a cappella group; and a local storyteller.

The city’s Christmas tree will return this year to Washington Square and will be decorated with ornaments made by local students. Stacy is also working on a project involving local schools to create displays depicting Christmas traditions around the world, to be displayed at stores.

LA SALLE’S CHRISTKINDLMARKET

After a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, La Salle’s Christkindlmarket is returning this year with huts, food and activities.

The vendors aren’t finalized, but many customer favorites will return with unique items that can’t be found in local stores, says La Salle Business Association Vice President Leah Inman. You’ll find alpaca wool goods, artistic gifts, handmade jewelry, wood-turned items and gift sets.

The market also will offer mulled wine, hot chocolate, hot cider, locally roasted coffee and German beer. German boot mugs will be available as well as commemorative La Salle Business Association mugs. La Salle’s Uptown Grill will offer a variety of German-themed foods cooked right at the market.

Market attendees will find a baby and mama reindeer at the market, as well as Santa Claus visits, holiday music, a s’more station and more, says Inman.

The La Salle market started in 2017, and Inman says people enjoy the smaller scale of this event compared to Chicago or Naperville markets. She says many attendees visit Ottawa and La Salle markets and are able to get much of their shopping done.

Inman notes other activities families can enjoy this holiday season, such as La Salle’s Miracle on First Street on Dec. 4 and the Celebration of Lights at Rotary Park any evening from midNovember to New Year’s Day.

“We try our best to offer shoppers an authentic German feel while they attend the market, but more so want to offer them a great family experience and tradition,” Inman says.