COVID-19 didn't halt plans for this year's Chris Kringle Market in Ottawa, although it did cause some changes.
The Chris Kringle Market begins at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, running through the weekend and starting back up at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, for another weekend. To allow for more shopping space, the market will begin on Jackson Street, south of Washington Square, and continue three blocks south to the Jordan block.
As a result, Jackson Street will be closed between Columbus and La Salle streets from Tuesday, Dec. 1, to Monday, Dec. 14.
This year's market will look a bit different, as organizers intend to follow the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity guidelines for operating a business during COVID-19.
All huts will be spaced at least 30 feet apart, and masks will be required. Mask wearing will be enforced, and attendance is limited to 25% capacity.
Beyond the food, drink and goods vendors, this year's market also will feature Secondary Dominance, a treble a cappella group from Illinois State University, at 1 p.m. Dec. 13 on the Chris Kringle Market stage, along with a workshop for children to write their letters to Santa in the Chris Kringle Hut. There will be an area for attendees to create holiday greeting cards for active duty service personnel overseas and an area for festive photo displays.
Food and Drink (open both weekends):
• Dave's Coffee Cake
• Belgian Hot Chocolate
• Didoughs Pretzel Co.
• Baked Cheese Haus
• Freeze Dried Bites
• August Hill Winery
• Kernal Dan's
• Roxy's Confections
• Frau Crust
• Austrian Lodge
• JJ's Pub
• My Funnel Truck
• Perfect Moments
• St. Roger Abbey
• Keke's Sweet Shop
• Mamie's Toffee
• Tangled Roots
• Nuts to Go
Gift Giving
• The Alpaca Shoppe
• Blessed Artistic Creations
• Wicks and Wax
• Gindo's Hot Sauce
• Streator House of Jerky
• Judy's Glass (only available Dec. 4-6)
• Wooden Element
• Hand Woven
• All Sage Co. (only available Dec. 4-6)
• Zone 5 Perennials (only available Dec. 4-6)
• Lux Street Boutique
• Repurpose Me
• The Grumpy Grizzly
• Lori's Cottage (only available Dec. 4-6)
• Denise Pours
• Nikki Stitches Crochet (only available Dec. 4-6)
• All Cindy's Mixes (only available Dec. 4-6)
• Garden's Gate
• Bethlehem Nativity
• Natural Refinery
• Gracie Pie Apothecary
• Salty Provisions
• Simply Play (only available Dec. 11-13)
• Verbena (only available Dec. 4-6)
• The Chris Kringle Hut
• Illuminate Home Designs
• 3 Eleven 22
• Angelia's Woodburning
• Something Simple Boutique (only available Dec. 4-6)