A German Christkindlmarkt benefiting the Intercourse Library will be featured during the 28th annual Intercourse Village Holiday Celebration being presented by the Village of Intercourse Merchants Association (IMA). The traditional makers' market will be open on Friday, Dec. 5, from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Intercourse Library, 31 Center St.

During the second annual event, vendors will be set up both inside and outside the library. "We will have 20 garden-type temporary sheds that we are putting up, and (the vendors) will also have tables in the library," explained IMA member Mike Sensenig. "We will have double the sheds we had last year. They will be (situated) in a circle in the grass with Christmas lights strung between."

"They will sell a little bit of everything - crafts and jewelry and food items," added IMA member Carl Kosko, proprietor of the Inn & Spa at Intercourse Village.

He noted that the sheds were donated and the Christmas light display will be put into place by Tim Ober, who previously designed displays at Dutch Wonderland. "He has a huge selection of Christmas lights, and it will look amazing," Kosko said. "It looked amazing last year and will look even more amazing this year."

This year, the market is being organized by Flourish Markets, founded by Pequea Valley High School graduate Makenna Bradley, who also is the owner of Makenna's Beads, which offers handmade jewelry.

In addition to the market, other events will take place on Dec. 5 at the library. Carriage rides will be offered from 4 to 6 p.m. for a donation. From 5 to 7 p.m., there will be a luminaria stroll along Center Street, fire truck demonstrations and a performance by guitarist Edward Swaton. Santa will arrive on an Intercourse Fire Company truck at 6 p.m., followed by Christmas carols with Santa at 6:15 p.m. and a tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.

On Dec. 6, the makers' market will be open all day, and food trucks will be on hand. Entertainment will include the Dickens Carolers, which will perform from noon to 1 p.m. followed by German dancers from 1 to 2 p.m. and a performance by the Pequea Valley Secondary School choir from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

"What is different this year is we have more entertainment. Last year, we had German dancers, and they are coming back. We have carolers coming in again, and Pequea Valley will have their choral group, who will perform an actual show," noted Kosko.

Other events on Dec. 6 will include gingerbread cookie decorating from noon to 5 p.m.; carriage rides that will depart from the library from noon to 6 p.m.; and visits with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m.

A Shepherd's Walk will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, 3476 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, and end at the library. Children are invited to dress as shepherds and take part. The walk will proceed to a live Nativity at the library, which will be staged at 6 and at 6:30 p.m.

The IMA Lodging Christmas Cookie Tour will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 6. During that time, ticketholders will be able to tour local lodging facilities, including hotels and bed-and-breakfast facilities, and sample cookies at each location. Visitors, who will be entered into a contest for prizes, will also be able to vote for their favorite cookie. "It's a great opportunity to tour the (local lodging locations), plus you get a good cookie, too," Sensenig said. Proceeds from ticket sales will also benefit the library.

Intercourse Library is part of the Lancaster County Library System. The library, which originated in a one-room schoolhouse in 1975, now operates from a 9,500-square-foot facility that opened in 2007. The facility includes a replica of the original schoolhouse, where programming is offered. The library also offers public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, a collection of books and a special archive of local historical material.

"It is a phenomenal library," Sensenig added. "It's such a great building. (It has) a one-room schoolhouse that they built, which looks just like the schoolhouse I went to."

Kosko encourages local residents as well as visitors from other neighborhoods to enjoy the Christkindlmarkt and all of the festivities. "It's all about community. There will obviously be tourists there, but we want the locals to come out and have a good time and Christmas shop," he said. "It is a great way to start the holiday season. It's going to be spectacular."

For more information about any of the events listed, visit http://www.villageofintercourse.com and choose "Holiday Celebration."