As in the previous year, the walk-in nativity scene with life-sized figures will be set up in front of the Engelbertskirche. At the push of a button, children can listen to one of three short Christmas stories while sitting on hay bales in the stable among the animals.
The Nikolaus boot campaign, taking place on December 7th, has meanwhile also become a fixed fixture in the pre-Christmas season. On this Saturday, children can finally search for their bursting boots in the shop windows of the participating stores. Traditionally, not only the kids have fun here. From mid-November, the coveted raffle tickets can be purchased for 3 euros. The sales points can be found on the HGSI website at www.hgsi.saarland. The ticket sale ends no later than November 30th, while supplies last.
Festively decorated Christmas huts in the pedestrian zone
Another highlight this year are the large shop windows of the former H&M building, which will be festively illuminated and decorated by a professional decorator. Special attention has been given to the little visitors, who will surely enjoy both the nativity scene and the Christmas-decorated shop windows. "Starting from the first Advent weekend, several festively decorated Christmas huts, managed by various restaurateurs, will also be set up in the pedestrian zone. Crêpes, waffles, Ritter Rost, mulled wine, and a variety of hot and cold drinks ensure that no one has to go home hungry or thirsty," says Anne Schorr, who is not only responsible for organizing the Christmas market in the cultural department but also takes care of the Christmas live acts on the Advent weekends. "Until our Christmas market on the fourth Advent weekend, there will be musical entertainment in the pedestrian zone on Friday afternoons and Saturday afternoons. 'Melancholie,' 'Times and Tales,' 'Small Blind,' 'Heartbeat,' 'The Mad Facts,' and the barrel organ player Janik Meier will provide the perfect prelude to Christmas with their performances. Why not simply go to the pedestrian zone for an after-work event with colleagues on a Friday during Advent?" suggests Anne Schorr as an idea.
On Saturdays, members of HGSI will distribute small gifts at their stand in front of the Engelbertskirche. "It has almost become a tradition for us to be present in the pedestrian zone during the pre-Christmas period. This is where you can engage in conversations with people and exchange views on many things," explains Nico Ganster, chairman of HGSI. He expresses his gratitude for the good cooperation with the city administration, as such "Christmas stories" only work hand in hand. His thanks also go to the municipal utilities, which have been contributing one-third of the costs of the Christmas lighting together with HGSI and the city of St. Ingbert for years.
