Christmas market coming to Conneaut Dec. 15-16
Nov. 16—CONNEAUT — Preparations are being finalized for a new Christmas market in Conneaut, scheduled for the middle of next month.
Amber Joslin, the organizer of the event, said she goes to Chicago every year to visit family. While trying to think of things to do with her son, she was inspired to try to create a market in Conneaut similar to one she visits in Chicago.
"What they do there is kind of similar to what I want and what I'm having, and what that entails is a lot of vendors, a lot of marketers, selling Christmas decor, what I would consider Christmas gifts, a lot of crafters, some [artists]," Joslin said.
The event, called ChristKindl Market, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15, and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 16. It will take place in the Cabrini Church parking lot and hall, at 744 Mill Street.
There are currently approximately 15 vendors signed up, with a goal of around 20, she said.
Food trucks will be at the event, and there will be carriage rides if there is no snow and sleigh rides if there is enough snow.
"Santa Claus will be there," Joslin said. "We have a beer and wine tent, and Buccia's is actually sponsoring all of our wine."
Buccia Vineyards will be making wine specifically for the event, she said.
"We have a rock climbing wall and kids games," Joslin said. "We'll have a bunch of photo-op booths outside, a lot of Christmas-related ones."
The Conneaut police and fire departments will be giving out items to kids, with decorated cruisers and fire trucks, she said.
Inside, there will be a 50/50 raffle and a basket raffle.
"The church itself is doing their fried dough, just like they used to do back at the Cabrini fest," she said.
Santa Claus will be inside, along with arts and crafts tables and a table of gifts that will be free for kids who visit santa, Joslin said.
"There will be games with candy and giveaways and things like that," she said.
A vendor from Painesville will be offering ceramics for sale, and kids will be able to paint some of the items, Joslin said.
"The community in general has been extremely supportive," she said. "I have a whole sponsor sheet, which, everything except one spot has been filled."
She said people have still been reaching out with offers to help or donate.
"We've raised quite a bit of money to be able to put this on, which has been extremely helpful," Joslin said.
The Conneaut Dairy Queen and Sunset Transportation are the main sponsors of the event.
"It was extremely helpful," she said.
The official cut-off date for vendors is Nov. 25, and Joslin encouraged anyone who wants to contact her about participating in the event to reach out to her via the event's Facebook page, ChristKindl Holiday Market. She said she tries to respond promptly to any messages she receives on Facebook.
The group is also putting on the city's Christmas parade, which is taking place next Friday, Nov. 24.
"We're working side-by-side with the Chamber, but the ChristKindl Market are the ones who are putting it on," Joslin said. "It's 'A Christmas Story' theme, and we have a lot of departments from Ashtabula County and from all around, because we want to get people involved in this."
On Monday, Conneaut council voted to allocate funds to have hot chocolate, coffee and popcorn outside of city hall after the parade.
Joslin said the yearly tree-lighting ceremony will take place after the parade.
