Here Comes - Rochester Downtown Alliance

2015
Here Comes
Santa Claus
Event Recap
Rochester Downtown Alliance I 4 3rd Street, Suite B I Rochester, MN
41st Annual
Here Comes
Santa Claus
Friday, November 27, 2015
From up on the rooftop of Old City Hall to down on the Peace Plaza,
Here Comes Santa Claus dazzled 1,500+ guests on Friday, November
27, 2015, shattering 2014's attendance of 80 people. Kicking­off the
magical evening, Santa Claus was rescued for the 41st consecutive year
by the Rochester Fire Department. With enchanting surprises awaiting
around every corner, the night brought families together and proved to
kids of all ages that seeing is believing. Be
Merry
Hot Cocoa Klatch
Excitement for Santa's Arrival Grew at Open Houses
Between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., anticipation for Santa's arrival grew, as several
downtown businesses hosted holiday open houses. Mac's Cafe featured a gourmet hot
cocoa buffet. For just $2.00, event guests could select from a variety of toppings.
Decorated in its holiday best, Cambria Gallery lured in hundreds of families with free hot
chocolate and cookies for the kids, while moms and dads enjoyed light appetizers. Even
Mrs. Claus and Jingle made special appearances! Next door to Old City Hall, Artistic
Framers on Historic 3rd Street hosted a Secret Santa sale, drawings for gift cards, and
free hot apple cider. 400 patrons took part in downtown's premiere holiday open house
night, a prelude to Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 28. What a Sight, What a Night!
Record-Breaking Attendance Saves Santa
Photo Credit: Scott Jacobson, ©Post Bulletin
Officially ushering in the holiday season, Santa Claus was rescued for the 41st
consecutive year by the Rochester Fire Department. Spectators gathered outside of Old
City Hall at the intersection of Historic 3rd Street and 1st Avenue as early as 5:15 p.m.
Over 1,500 guests gathered to welcome Santa to downtown Rochester, shattering
2014's attendance of 80 people. Y­105, the Christmas Station, provided pre­show holiday music that began at 5:45 p.m.
Then, at the strike of 6:00 p.m., Santa appeared on the rooftop. Illuminated by a
spotlight, Santa interacted with the crowd as the Rochester Fire Department prepared
for their annual rooftop rescue. Once Santa landed safely on the ground, he joined
Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede, Mrs. Claus and Jingle, and led the crowd to the Peace
Plaza for the tree lighting ceremony. Photo Credit: Scott Jacobson, ©Post Bulletin
Lights, Music & Magic!
All-New Stage Show Proves Seeing is Believing
Produced by Gabriel Yeager, "Let the Magic Begin!," the city's largest switch­flipping
ceremony lifted the spirits of over 1,000 guests beginning at 6:30 p.m. Downtown never
shined more brightly, nor beamed so gleefully, than during this 30­minute holiday
pageant. The high­energy show featured performances by Dahl Dance Studio, You
Neek Media Crew, D'Sievers jazz trio and singer/songwriter Lauren Heydt. Rochester
Mayor Ardell Brede, Y­105, the Christmas Station's James Rabe, Santa, Mrs. Claus and
Jingle made special appearances. The show culminated with a much­anticipated
community countdown to light the Peace Plaza tree. "Let the Magic Begin!" officially
kicked­off downtown Rochester's season of holiday events and made show attendees
downtown believers. Santa's Magic Kingdom
Shops at University Square Hosts Meet & Greet
After the Peace Plaza tree lighting ceremony, families were invited to meet and greet
with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus inside the Shops at University Square between 7:00
p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Free cookies, courtesy of Mac's Cafe and Restaurant, refreshed kids
of all ages. Over 500 of Santa's believers shared wishlists and had the opportunity to
take free photos with the first couple of the North Pole, Jingle and the Snow Queen. Marketing
New Creative Dazzles Guests
The Rochester Downtown Alliance produced new event creative for the city's 41st
annual holiday tradition. The multimedia marketing campaign targeted families, while
new media partnerships increased loyalty and attendance to the 2015 event. Event Posters: The RDA produced and distributed 100+ event posters throughout
downtown Rochester between November 2 and November 6. Event Calendars: Here Comes Santa Claus was featured in 25+ regional event
calendars, including Rochesterfamilies.com, Rochester MN Mom's Blog 2015 Holiday
Events Guide, and Explore Minnesota.
Website: The Rochester Downtown Alliance's website featured the event's official
webpage. Between October 1 and November 30, 2015, the webpage had a total of
2,156 sessions with 2,116 unique pageviews. The RDA also featured the event on the
website's homepage between November 1 and November 27. Y­105, The Christmas Station: New in 2015, RDA partnered with Y­105, the
Christmas Station, as the exclusive radio sponsor. Townsquare Media supported Here
Comes Santa Claus with 180 (:30) commercials, 90 aired on both Y­105 FM and
KROC FM, 44 (:15) live liners, 22 aired on both Y­105 FM and KROC FM and a
dedicated Facebook header on Y­105's Facebook page. KROC AM featured Here
Comes Santa Claus during a monthly RDA update segment on Monday, November 9. KTTC­TV: Rochester's NBC­affiliate and most watched news station featured RDA's
Executive Director, Jenna Bowman, during the November 11 12:00 p.m. broadcast.
The interview was re­aired multiple times during the following Saturday's "Around
Town" segment between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Shop Rochester: The RDA maintained its strong relationship with longtime media
partner, Shop Rochester. The RDA provided the creative graphics for a full 1­page
advertisement in the November edition. The monthly guide is mailed to 50,000+
households and on display at various high­profile locations throughout downtown
Rochester. Social Media: The RDA produced the event's official Facebook page. Launched on
November 2, 762 guests responded as "interested," 528 responded as "going," while
1,200+ guests were invited. In just 4 weeks, the event generated 52,000
impressions, with 1,100 likes/comments/shares and 2,400 views of the Post Bulletin's
video recap. Here Comes Santa Claus also partnered with "Rochester MN's Only
Santa" and "Save Santa in Rochester MN" Facebook pages. Boasting 8,600+ likes,
the two pages posted weekly event updates, contributing to the event's largest social
media campaign ever undertaken. New Event Logo Facebook Header
Event Poster
Shop Rochester 1­Page Ad,
November 2015 Edition
Shops at University Square, Shop Rochester
2­Page Ad, November 2015 Edition Shops at University Square, Rochester
Magazine, November 2015 Edition Shops at University Square, Website, November 1­ 27, 2015
Public Relations
KTTC­TV: Rochester's NBC­affiliate featured Here Comes Santa Claus on Friday,
November 27 during the 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. broadcasts. At 5:00
p.m., KTTC reporter, Mike Sullivan joined Mrs. Claus, Jingle and Gabriel Yeager at
Cambria Gallery's holiday open house for a live interview. At 6:00 p.m., KTTC
featured Santa's rescue during a live report from Old City Hall. KAAL­TV: Southeastern Minnesota's ABC­affiliate featured Here Comes Santa
Claus during the Saturday, November 27 10:00 p.m. broadcast. Post Bulletin: The Post Bulletin produced a 4:10 minute video recap. The video
generated 2,400+ views on Facebook and 156 views on YouTube. The Post Bulletin
also included the event as part of a Thanksgiving travel and events article on
Wednesday, November 25. Event photos were featured in the Saturday, November
28th edition.
507 Magazine: Here Comes Santa Claus was featured in a Thanksgiving weekend
events article in the November 19th edition. The event was also highlighted with a
photo in the November 26 edition event's section. Rochester Women's Magazine: Here Comes Santa Claus received an honorable
mention in "The Male Perspective" column spotlighting the "real" Santa Claus in the
November edition. C.H. Armstrong Books & Blog: Local author, Cathie Armstrong highlighted the
local campaign to save the "real" Santa Claus. The event received a triumphant
mention in the article, "Grassroots Effort to 'Save Santa' Wins!"
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Rochester Downtown Alliance Presents a Show­Stopping Start to the 2015 Holiday Season
“Here Comes Santa Claus” Returns on Friday, November 27, 2015
ROCHESTER, Minn. ­­­ November 1, 2015 ­­­ “Here Comes Santa Claus,” downtown Rochester’s
cherished holiday tradition, returns Friday, November 27, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The magical
evening kicks­off with a thrilling rooftop rescue by the Rochester Fire Department atop Old City Hall (224
1st Avenue SW) at 6:00 p.m. In his 41st consecutive year, Santa will make his dramatic rooftop landing
and grand downtown debut.
Join the Clauses and prance down to the Peace Plaza for more family­fun! Event guests will be greeted
by jazz music on the Peace Plaza, prior to a dazzling new stage show. At 6:30 p.m., the city’s largest
switch­flipping ceremony will take place with a stage show spectacular dubbed, “Let the Magic Begin.”
Charged up with holiday cheer, this high­energy, 30­minute holiday pageant features dance acts, local
musicians, and even a visit from Santa Claus! The show culminates with the much anticipated
community countdown lead by Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede. After the oohs and awes, follow Santa
inside the Shops at University Square for a meet and greet and refreshments! Best of all, everything is
free – down to the hot cocoa and cookies!
New this year, “Here Comes Santa Claus” will feature the “real Santa Claus.” In support of a local
campaign led by a group of dedicated parents to save the “real Santa Claus,” who has celebrated the
holidays in Rochester for the past 13 years, the Shops at University Square will host a meet & greet with
the Clauses following the tree lighting ceremony.
The local campaign to save the “real Santa Claus” has raised over $2,000 through GoFundMe and has
become a social media phenomenon. If you are interested in contributing to saving the “real Santa
Claus,” please visit: http://www.gofundme.com/rochestermnsanta and
https://www.facebook.com/SaveSantaRochesterMN.
Thank you to our event partners Y­105, Shops at University Square, and Dahl Dance Center. For more
information, please visit our website at: www.downtownrochestermn.com. Come see downtown in its
holiday­best. Downtown Rochester, the Place to Be for Holiday Magic! Thank You to our
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Contributing Partners
Media Sponsor
Event Coordinator: Gabriel Yeager
Event Production: Northern Sun Productions Rochester Downtown Alliance I 4 3rd Street, Suite B I Rochester, MN