Naperville Christkindlmarket Wants $61,000 From City

Naperville Christkindlmarket organizers are requesting $61,000 from the City of Naperville, according to the Naperville Sun.

The event is organized by German American Events, a private company that works closely with the German American Chambers of Commerce. Organizers said they needed additional funds to increase attendance and make the event profitable.

The Naper Settlement is considering doubling the $30,000 rent it charged last year to host the market. There were two security guards at the market last year, until a third was added following an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.

"There's been this year a lot of increases in rental costs and police costs just to make the market safe for people who come through," Kate Bleeker, manager of German American Events, said according to the Naperville Sun. "All of it has a really big impact on the budget. We love Naperville and we want to find a way to bring the market there again."

Naperville's special events and cultural amenities commission recommended the city grant the market $45,841.

The Naperville Board of Trustees is expected to vote on special event grants at their April 5 meeting.

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