The Willamette Valley town of Mt Angel kicks off a new, nutty tradition this weekend, celebrating one of the valley's largest crops at its holiday marketplace.
Mt. Angel is already famous for its Oktoberfest celebration. Now, after a year of preparation, the town is expecting thousands at its first annual Hazelnut Fest this weekend.
Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Maureen Ernst says the town's Festhalle is hosting the Hazelnut Fest Kristkindle Markt, featuring Bavarian arts and crafts and all things hazelnut, including hazelnut beer. The community's Benedictine nuns, who craft Monastery Mustard, are introducing their newest creation: Holy Hazelnut Mustard. Hazelnut cooking demonstrations are featured, along with holiday candies, breads and Oregon wines.
In addition to lots of holiday musical entertainment, townspeople will also do an old time radio show about the community.
Kids are welcome. There is a Children's Arts and Crafts Corner, and they can visit Santa, also known as Kristkindle, in his workshop. Your $5 admission comes with a gift bag of goodies. The Hazelnut Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Festhalle in Mt Angel.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
