Christkindlmarket Des Moines Launches New Look after Strong Debut
DES MOINES, IOWA, Feb. 7, 2017 – More than 23,000 visitors attended the inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines in downtown Des Moines last December. Building on this success, the Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA), which created and produces the event, is launching a new logo and branding scheme for the market’s 2017 marketing and communications campaign.
“We were absolutely amazed by the turnout in our first year,” says Suzanne Hull, DMEHA president and founder. “We always believed that people in Iowa and beyond would support and enjoy this type of culturally based holiday event, but the attendance and enthusiasm was incredible. It certainly spurs us on to make it even bigger and better this year.”
The 2017 Christkindlmarket, slated for Dec. 1 to 3, will take place again at Cowles Commons in downtown Des Moines. To help enhance the promotion of the three-day market’s planned improvements in 2017, the association collaborated with the locally based advertising agency, Lessing-Flynn, to help create a stronger visual identity.
“The new logo and overall new look for our branding will help us convey what the market represents – excitement and warmth of the holidays in Iowa’s capital city,” Hull says. “The ‘Christkind’ angel is central to a German-inspired Christmas market and the rich gold color with a dark blue accent also helps set us apart from the traditional red-and-green motif used by so many others.”
For Lessing-Flynn, partnering with a local non-profit organization is nothing new. “As a creative agency, we believe it’s essential to support local opportunities to experience art and culture,” said Lessing-Flynn Vice President, Jessica Held. “Events such as Christkindlmarket Des Moines, which promote diversity and education, are always a worthwhile investment for our community.”
The DMEHA continues to seek volunteers to assist in all of its year-round activities, as well as the. Hull encourages anyone interested in volunteering or becoming a sponsor to visit www.christkindlmarketdsm.com or the group’s Facebook page.
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 sponsors include: Modern Woodmen of America, Centennial Warehousing Corporation and Grand View University.
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The Des Moines European Heritage Association (DMEHA) is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit that connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences and that provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
#CDM2016 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
In January, we held our volunteer appreciation dinner to thank those that helped produce the inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Thank you to Barilla for supplying the pasta and sauce and to Graziano Bros. for supplying the sausage. And to Perry Wehrle for supplying the venue.
Are you interested in getting involved to help plan this year’s event? Complete our volunteer interest form indicating your committee interests.
Are you interested in volunteering at the event this December? Opt in to our e-newsletter to be notified when opportunities are available. The Glühwein serving shifts go fast!
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
2017 Call for Performers
The quality of a traditional Christmas market depends on maintaining a high standard of programming. Christkindlmarket Des Moines is dedicated to immersing visitors in a world of folklore and craftsmanship as well as enticing them with traditional, seasonal gastronomic specialties to provide an experience filled with European elegance and charm. See Google Images of Christmas markets around the world.
We will provide a four-sided, forced-air heated tent at a location to be determined by Christkindlmarket Des Moines event planning committee on Cowles Commons. A lighted stage within the tent will be provided.
Our performer guide will give you an overview of the needs assessment process and requirements. As soon as you fill out the needs assessment, it will be reviewed internally and all information stored in our database.
What is the timeline for the process?
Fill out the online needs assessment no later than March 1, 2017
Send photographs representing you or your group to – [email protected]
Receive feedback from Christkindlmarket Des Moines staff by April 1, 2017
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 Performer Information Guide
Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2017 Performer Needs Assessment
Chocolaterie Stam | 2017 In-Kind Sponsor
A huge thank you to Chocolaterie Stam who continues as our 2017 in-kind vendor stall logistics partner. Not many people understand the logistics behind this process, so let me explain.
Materials are purchased from Lowes and Gilcrest/Jewett and delivered to either Waukee High School or Johnston High School.
After each stall is built, it is torn down, palletized and transported from WHS or JHS to Centennial Warehousing Corporation for storage until Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Chocolaterie Stam is donating the use of their dock-height delivery truck so we can transport each individual stall to Centennial Warehousing Corporation! Prior to this partnership, we were renting UHaul trucks. Thank you so much for your continued support!
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
2017 Call for Vendors
Des Moines European Heritage Association invites you to become a vendor at the 2nd Annual Christkindlmarket Des Moines.
In 2016, this cultural experience attracted 22,000 – 26,000 attendees.
In 2016 we set up at 125+ events around Iowa, and out of all of those events, Christkindlmarket Des Moines was our #1 event for gross sales.
Pickle Creek Herbs, 2016
In addition to food and gift/specialty item vendors, we seek vendors that can provide demonstrations.
- Over 62,000 website pageviews/year
- 1,517 Facebook Likes
- E-newsletters: 11 issues per year, 924 subscribers, 40% open rate
- Promotional flyers (Jul – Dec): 2,000
I had high hopes for this event, and in terms of both sales and marketing, this event exceeded all my expectations.
Pickle Creek Herbs, 2016
View all 2016 Vendor Testimonials
Read the 2017 Vendor Guide (Required)
Apply to be a 2017 Vendor
Application Deadline: February 15, 2017
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Opening Ceremony | Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016
Join us for the opening ceremony of the inaugural Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Hear the Christkind deliver her festive proclamation to open the Christkindlmarket and see the large tree sponsored by Drake University’s World Languages and Cultures Department lit. The opening ceremony will begin at 6pm on Friday, December 2.
Children Needed for Opening Ceremony Procession
Children are an integral component of any Christkindlmarket opening ceremony. Would your child (children) like to follow “Das Christkind” through Christkindlmarket Des Moines to the stage where they will watch the opening ceremony?
Contact Betsy Penisten at [email protected] with questions and interest. We would like at most 50 children to participate.
Children and parents are invited to gather in the East Entrance of Cap Square at 5:40pm on Friday, December 2, 2016, (please be on time) to receive a luminary and battery-operated candle. Please return the luminaries to a volunteer at the end of the opening ceremony if the child does not wish to take it home.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. | Vendor Stall Sponsor
We are pleased to announce that Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. is a Vendor Stall Sponsor of Christkindlmarket Des Moines 2016! Their generous donation will help fund wooden vendor stalls—a must-have for a traditional European-style Christmas market.
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Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
We’ve spent the last three years planning Christkindlmarket Des Moines and developing our non-profit, Des Moines European Heritage Association. We’d like to say a special thanks for the individuals and organizations who have made this event possible:
Community Supporters
- Patty & Jim Cownie Charitable Fund
- The Deb and Paul Hayes Charitable Fund
Community Partners
- Waukee High School Industrial Arts Program – Built wooden vendor huts
- Johnston High School Industrial Arts Program – Built Tannenbaum tables, wooden vendor plaques and wooden sponsor plaques
Fundraising Match Sponsor
- Modern Woodmen of America
Grants
- Iowa Arts Council Arts Project Grant
- Polk County Board of Supervisors Community Betterment Grant
Tree Sponsor
- The Department of World Languages and Cultures at Drake University
Hut Sponsors
- The Rasmussen Group, Inc.
- Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
- Familie Härtel
- Ankeny Auto Body 1
- Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Graphic Design Sponsor
- Darcy Hines Designs
Photography Sponsor
- Gails Photography & Design
Platinum Sponsor
- museum of danish america
- Ingersoll Wine & Spirits – In-kind portion of Glühwein
- Centennial Warehouse – In-kind hut storage
- Action Electric – In-kind hut electrical parts and installation
Gold Sponsors
- Grand View University – In-kind meeting space
- Iowa Sister States
- Greater Iowa Credit Union
- Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau – In-kind Gold Partner
- Chocolaterie Stam – In-kind truck usage
Silver Sponsors
- Sons of Norway – Marsteinen Lodge
- The Travel Center LTD
- Kum & Go
- The Weitz Company
- Gilcrest/Jewett – In-kind donation of equipment and transport of huts
Bronze Sponsors
- Ace Body & Motor
- VOM FASS
- Iowa Sister Cities
Donation
- Mittera Group
- Reichardt Family Fund
Centennial Warehousing Corporation | In-Kind Sponsor
We have been working for the past year with Waukee High School Industrial Arts Students to build the traditional wooden vendor stalls you’ll see at Christkindlmarket Des Moines. But, where do these structures reside when not in use? Centennial Warehousing Corporation.
Centennial Warehousing Corporation has graciously donated storage space for our vendor stalls. After working with a member of the Des Moines Woodworkers Association, we were able to rework the design so when torn down, the stall fits on a double-wide pallet which can be easily moved around the warehouse with the help of a forklift.
As a non-profit, producing an inaugural event, community partners are extremely important. Many thanks to Centennial Warehousing Corporation!
Centennial Warehousing is a full service logistics company. Services range from a full service warehouse, over the road trucking, regional distribution, and freight brokerage. We have our own fleet of semi-trucks and 53 ft. air ride trailers driven by our own professional drivers.
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.
2016 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Entertainment Schedule
2016 Christkindlmarket Des Moines Entertainment Schedule
Friday, December 2, 2016
11:30 – 2:00 pm Geneviève Salamone: The One Woman Symphony
2:00 – 3:00 pm Victoria & Albert: Dickens Era Royalty
5:00 – 5:45 pm Glastonbury Revelers
6:00 – 6:30 pm Opening Ceremony
6:30 – 7:00 pm East High School Advanced Handbell Ensemble
7:30 – 10:30 pm Malek’s Fishermen Band
Malek’s Fishermen BandSaturday, December 3, 2016
11:00 – 12:00 pm Central Iowa Wind Ensemble
12:00 – 12:30 pm Victoria & Albert: Dickens Era Royalty (strolling)
12:30 – 1:30 pm Inna Larsen
1:30 – 2:15 pm Central Iowa Wind Ensemble Chamber Groups
2:30 – 3:30 pm Heartland Youth Choir
4:00 – 5:00 pm Inna Larsen
5:15 – 5:45 pm Foy School of Traditional Irish Dance
7:00 – 10:00 pm Brian Brueggen & the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen
Brian Brueggen & the Mississippi Valley DutchmenSunday, December 4, 2016
11:00 – 12:00 pm Metro Brass Quartet
12:00 – 12:30 pm Victoria & Albert: Dickens Era Royalty (strolling)
12:30 – 1:30 pm French/International Dancing
2:00 – 3:00 pm Top Hat Carolers
3:00 – 3:30 pm Des Moines Chantant
Des Moines European Heritage Association connects Iowans with European traditions, language education and cultural experiences; and it provides resources and tools to other cultural heritage organizations.