As a preemptive celebration of the Yuletide and a cultural experiment, a trinity of local churches are bringing the world market tradition from across the Atlantic and fusing it with what they call American and Christian Christmas values.

The second annual Cullman Christmas Festival and Outdoor Market is slated for Saturday from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on 5th Street SE near St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Cullman.

“It’s going to be a big day,” Christ Lutheran pastor Sandy Niiler said. “We always say at the right moment it’s all going to come together, and that’s what we’re hoping. We give and take, and, somehow, we make it all work together.”

The event — which borrows from the European idea of a Christmas market and festival — will have more than 50 vendors that range from food distributors to arts and crafts dealers.

Moreover, the event will have more than what Niiler described as “European flare.”

“It’s the American view of Christmas — fun and gift giving — plus being Christian and wanting to express our faith,” she said.

To do that, there will be a live interactive walk-through of the Nativity and other religious commemoration.

Alongside the large marketplace, there will be live music for entertainment, as well as games and rides for children of all ages.

“We’ve got activities ranging from rock walls to merry-go-rounds,” Rev. John Richter of St. John’s said. “This is a free community celebration.”

Richter added that there would be inflatables and a “Buckin Blitzen” mechanical bull.

“People get caught up in the fun of Christmas,” Niiler said. “We want to remind them of the faith. Some people want more faith and some people want more fun.”

Niiler hopes that the Christmas market will have both.

There is no entry fee to the event, but Richter said those who wish to buy from the vendors should bring cash.

According to Richter and Niiler, the crowd last year exceeded 1,000 people, and they’re both hoping for an even larger turn out.

“We’re learning as we go,” Niiler said. “It’s a unique challenge getting together with city planning and the fire department to have this event, and it will be interesting to see where we go next year.”

Zach Winslett may be contacted at zwinslett@cullmantimes.com or (256) 734-2131, ext. 137.