Issue link: http://frankenmuthcvb.uberflip.com/i/1492739
In 2021-2022, our community relations role quickly expanded with the addition of the Frankenmuth Ice Rink. Opening its doors for the first time on November 18th, 2021 - the Frankenmuth Ice Rink greeted over 17,200 skaters in its first season. This was made possible only through the generous contributions of our 23 advertising partners, The Frankenmuth Community Foundation's Dachshund Derby, our host at Zehnder's of Frankenmuth and our presenting sponsor Huntington Bank. 2021 was also year 2 of the Christmas Experience, and in addition to the rink, it was the first year of the Frankenmuth Christmas shuttle. This pilot program ran for three weekends with the goal to help free up parking by utilizing parking lots on the north and south end of town, and shuttling people around town to keep visitors moving around Frankenmuth. We continued our Stop and Snap locations and added the Stop and Snap Challenge. An interactive challenge where visitors can check in at 15 Stop and Snap locations then redeem the pass for a Frankenmuth ornament at the visitor center. Christmas experience partners continued to grow and new experiences around town included The Christkindlmarkt location move to the Frankenmuth Farmers Market, expanded drive through Santa and light tour collaboration between CBC and Parks and Rec, and the return of many well loved Santa sightings, Christmas events, Local Light the night, and Frozen Fun night the day after Thanksgiving. So many new additions were made last year from partners that our Christmas Experience guide grew from a tri-fold brochure to a 16 page mini visitor guide. Community R E L A T I O N S 12 After wrapping up a successful winter season, we shifted to other seasonal community projects. Including "Egg-Splore Frankenmuth Easter Egg Hunt", where 182 eggs from 27 partners were hidden all over town for this fun new local promotion. A successful Friday Fun Nights ran for 15-weeks and was made possible from the donations of 38 local businesses. In late summer, we introduced "Play on the Platz". A fenced area that housed games such as cornhole, giant Jenga, and giant Connect Four, to help create a new fun space in the center of Downtown. We also started working on the Frankenmuth Festival and Event Toolkit. This toolkit continues to be a work in progress as we work on putting together help tips, tricks, and information for festival and Event organizers. M 31 Stop & Snap Locations M 1,592 Stop & Snap Downloads M 1,200+ Stop & Snap Redemptions M 26 Businesses in Christmas Guide M 35 Christmas Experience Sponsors M 1,532 Santa Letters M 1,079 Santa Postcards sent M 1,417 Christmas Shuttle Riders 2021