Baltimore's Board of Estimates on Wednesday approved a Bavarian-style Christmas Village to be open daily at the Inner Harbor's West Shore Park from Thanksgiving through Christmas. It will feature some 60 vendors, traditional German food and even a visit from Christkind (a blond-haired angel who's the German version of Santa Claus).
Most vendors — about 40 — will be housed in a giant tent to be pitched in the park, with 20 or so more set up at booths outside. The village's anchor will be Kathe Wohlfahrt, who specializes in handcrafted wooden holiday ornaments and collectibles. The operators also hope to have a carousel and other kids' rides available on-site, said Katharina Voigt, marketing manger for German American Marketing Inc., which has operated a holiday Christmas Village in Philadelphia since 2008.
The company will pay the city $20,000 in fees.