I posted a post about free parking at YuleTide at Devon Sunday and some of the hall monitors came crawling out of the woodwork. The specific comment was weren’t Clover Market and Christkindlmarkt also shopping events?

People are getting a little twitchy tetchy because I don’t share the same opinions as some about Yuletide at Devon.

Sorry not sorry.

Clover Market doesn’t charge you for parking or entry. It’s not just businesses on Route 30 near the horse show, it’s a curated show of highly talented craftspeople and antiques and vintage dealers. Also much like many of the in season farmers markets, you will often find non-profit tables set up.

I have been around Clover since the literal beginning and the founder is a personal friend. Also interesting to note that much like former DHS volunteers, she suggested years ago that DHS do something holiday and the response to former volunteers was akin to shock and horrors DHS would never ever do something like that. I should be clear because there is confusion with what I wrote that former volunteers who suggested a winter use were the ones told no so are we clear on that?

Christkindlmarkt is an over 30 + year old tradition in Bethlehem that helped with the renaissance of the town. It is actually one of the TOP Christmas markets in the COUNTRY. So if some of you had actually been or were familiar with it’s history, you wouldn’t be snotful about this event OR Clover Market.

Christkindlmarkt has actual German ornament/decoration artisans and if you hunt traditionally made European ornaments and regional crafts people. Also tied to Christkindlmarkt is ArtsQuest.org a 501(c)(3) with a mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development. Also Christkindlmarkt is tied into the other happenings in the Moravian Historic District and the arts district. Christkindlmarkt is actually representative of a European Christmas market .

These events promote artisans, craftspeople, small businesses, the area around them. They don’t feel like shameless self promotion.

YuleTide at Devon is about YuleTide at Devon so far. And that would be fine if the parking was more reasonable and the ticket prices more human. Christmas and the holiday season should be a little more inclusive, shouldn’t they?

I will note YuleTide at Devon’s present formula is not working.

Take this past Wednesday evening when Life’s Patina at Willowbrook Farm had their holiday barn market evening preview, and the Life’s Patina event was packed, similarly at the same time since I had friends who went, YuleTide had about 15 to 20 guests in total. I actually felt sorry for them. Now Life’s Patina had a charge for the preview, but they were donating some proceeds towards a non-profit (St. Mary’s Franciscan Shelter in Phoenixville), they fed their guests, and parking was free. Also this event also has live music at some of them.

YuleTide at Devon has dropped the price points on parking. It’s now up to $30 and not up to $50. That’s a clear signal to me that my opinions have not been off base. If they just had a charity/philanthropic component it would help people justify the entry price point and parking.

YuleTide at Devon is not a bad concept, but the core execution needs work. From what I hear it’s pretty but expensive once you’re inside the event. Also everyone I speak to who has gone have said it’s pretty, but too expensive, and it’s a one and done.

YuleTide has until the end of the year to figure it out. I hope they do figure it out actually. It takes more than aspiring influencers and PR reels etc. to get people to an event, especially a new event. It takes community and a sense of community, and right now YuleTide at Devon is in the community not yet of it.

That’s the difference.

It’s not just about making a profit off of your neighbors.

Have a good night.