Ishpeming entrepreneur pitches downtown 'Kris Kringle' market to council
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Summary
Kevin Corkin presented a plan for an annual Ishpeming 'Kris Kringle' Christmas market in downtown parking areas and Santa's Village, emphasizing local vendor huts, volunteer build partnerships with NMU students and a goal of boosting tourism and community activities.
Kevin Corkin, the organizer behind a proposed downtown Christmas market, told the Ishpeming City Council that the event is designed to be a family-friendly, largely free festival to draw visitors to the city and support local artisans.
Corkin said the market would center on the Mather parking area and nearby pocket parks and Santa’s Village, running multiple weekends beginning with the day after Thanksgiving in 2026. He described a vendor-hut model he has seen succeed in comparable small cities and said the project will prioritize local purchasing — “all of our materials for the huts are being purchased…through Catron’s Lumber” and many suppliers from Ishpeming — and volunteer construction by NMU construction management students and regional build partners. Corkin said the event has early social-media traction, with more than 1,300 followers in the first 24 hours after launching the market’s Facebook page.
Council members responded positively. Mayor Pat Scanlon said the council will support the effort and asked residents to back the initiative rather than “complain.” Councilmember Jason Chapman and others offered help with outreach and sponsorships as the organizers move into formal permitting and fundraising. Corkin said he will file a special events permit and may request temporary street closures and DPW support for moving and storing huts in the off-season.
Why it matters: The market is framed as an economic development and tourism strategy for downtown Ishpeming, aiming to attract visitors from nearby communities and support new vendor and hospitality activity during the winter season. The proposal also emphasizes workforce and education partnerships (construction trades students) and volunteer-led operations, limiting the city’s direct operating costs while seeking limited operational support.
Next steps: Corkin will complete the special events permit and return to staff for the required approvals; council signaled support and encouraged coordination with DDA, parks and recreation and city departments.
