Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Events topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Downtown Association previews Christkindlmarkt, wine walk and new Thanksgiving‑weekend event
Summary
The Downtown Association told the BID board about holiday programming including a Christkindlmarkt with 20 vendors, an autumn wine walk targeting 500 participants, a new Thanksgiving‑weekend street event on 6th Avenue and fundraisers that funnel $2 per specialty cocktail to the local food pantry.
Phil, representing the Downtown Association, briefed the BID board on a slate of holiday and winter events the association is organizing and promoting.
Phil said the Christkindlmarkt will host 20 curated vendors, with several vendors in outdoor stalls and most in heated tents. He described the event as intentionally selective — “it’s not going to be like a flea market” — and said vendors include a chainsaw wood carver and Polish pastries. The association is building at least one outdoor market stall on 6th Avenue near the post office and indicated volunteers are needed for bartending, food service, setup and cleanup.
The association’s autumn wine walk is scheduled for Nov. 22 and Phil said the group hopes for at least 500 participants; as of one report during the meeting he said 315 had been recorded. The Downtown Association also plans a new multi‑day Thanksgiving‑weekend event behind its offices on 6th Avenue; the board discussed the planned three‑day partial street closure and how it will leave the post office rear entrance open.
Other seasonal items: the Polar Express cocktail promotion (Dec. 1 through a mid‑January “Winter on Main” warm‑up) will designate $2 from every special cocktail sold to the local food pantry, and the association expects a Santa bike ride and a downtown parade over the weekend. Phil said much of the weekend programming is intended to draw visitors from beyond West Bend and to highlight the Riverwalk and downtown revitalization.
What’s next: Phil encouraged board members and volunteers to help staff upcoming events; he asked the BID to coordinate on promotion and said the association will continue outreach to sell tickets and recruit sponsors.
