Kringle Holiday Market opens in Reutter Park

THURSDAY, Nov. 17 — Just in time for tomorrow night's annual Silver Bells in the City celebration, the city of Lansing joined with Downtown Lansing Inc. to unveil Kringle Holiday Market in Reutter Park in downtown today.

"When I was first told about this idea months ago, I was skeptical," Mayor Andy Schor told a crowd of media, city officials and vendors this afternoon before cutting a ribbon. "But they did it. It's amazing."

The market will have various vendors  Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Each vendor will have a small wooden building to sell their wares from, and the eight buildings surround the artificial ice rink moved from City Hall Plaza to the park this year. 

Vendors will operate 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 11 a.m. to  7 p.m.  Fridays and Saturdays through  Dec. 17. 

Skates for the rink can be rented across the street from Reutter Park at the downtown branch of the Capital Area District Library. 

Schor donned his own hockey skates to take a spin on the artificial ice. He said it had a bit more friction that actual ice, requiring slightly more energy in moving on the surface. 

Schor puts on his skates to tackle the artificial ice rink Thursday evening. 

Schor takes the first spin around the rink Thursday evening at Reutter Park in downtown Lansing. 

A view of the Kringle Holiday Market and the city of Lansing artificial ice rink in Reutter Park. 

Festive and creative seating has also been added to the area, including this polar bear bench. 

And, of course, no holiday-related event can be complete without some music.