Members of the Amherst German Christmas Market organization, newly formed by locals to showcase a European-flavored outdoor festival on the Amherst Village Green — a “Weihnachtsmarkt” featuring Santa, live music and a tented Biergarten, plus vendors, crafters and artists — reportedly attracted around 4,500 visitors to the inaugural event hosted Dec. 10.

“We wanted to bring Christmas fun and foreign culture to Amherst for all to enjoy,” said Lindsay Buchanan, the event founder and Amherst resident. “We’re so grateful for all the support from our sponsors, participants and attendees.”

The AGCM non-profit organization’s volunteers ensured opportunities that day for all ages to enjoy foods and wares from more than 50 vendors plus entertainment and dinner or drinks of hot mulled wine or lagers in the Biergarten.

White canopies sheltered vendor booths. Scripp Fine Homes and Seasonal Specialty Stores added sponsorship, as did Fidium, Smokehaus Barbecue, Cardoza Flooring, Dovetail Dental Associates, Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., Inc., and others including Amherst Auto Works, Hampshire Hills Athletic Club and Citizens Bank Mortgage Loan Officer Arlette Lynch, plus Lowe’s, LaBelle Winery, Market Basket and Flying Butcher.

Visitors indulged in purchases ranging from fresh Balsam wreaths ribboned in red from local Boy Scout Troop 22 to handcrafted toys from Amherst’s Green Woodworks. Popular also for gift-giving was a published novel by teenage Amherst writer Chloe McKinley, author of “Shattered Expectations.”

Elsewhere, hot coffee and cocoa, bratwurst and fruity German stollen topped with powdered sugar satisfied the hungry or the chilly. Longtime Amherst resident Tom Ventura meandered with his bicycle while his wife Deb shopped but maintained contact via walkie-talkie.

“This is the biggest event we’ve had on the common this year,” Tom said. “People are here having fun.”

More information on the AGCM can be had on Facebook at AmherstGCM or online: amherstchristmasmarket.org.