Yuletide
Yuletide AT DEVON
A Case Study in Branded Experience and Custom Fabrication
Challenges Faced & Insights Gained: A Case Study on Transforming the Devon Horse Show Grounds for a Holiday Festival
In every great endeavor, there are obstacles that stand between us and our vision. The key to overcoming these challenges is not just skill and expertise but a clear sense of purpose. At Our People Entertainment, we believe in creating deeply immersive experiences that forge connections between people, brands, and the environments they inhabit. This belief guided us through the intricate and multifaceted demands of this project.
Challenges We Faced
- Seamless Coordination of Multi-Layered Operations
With an event of this scale, the challenge was not just execution but orchestration. Managing daily operations, staffing, and cross-departmental coordination while ensuring a seamless guest experience was a significant undertaking. The interplay between technical aspects—sound, lighting, A/V, and electrical distribution—required meticulous planning and precise execution. - Custom Fabrication with Mobility and Cost in Mind
Designing immersive interior spaces that would feel permanent yet remain temporary and transportable posed a unique challenge. We needed to create durable, visually stunning structures that could be easily stored and repurposed while maintaining high aesthetic standards. - Preserving the Historical Integrity of the Venue
The historic Devon Horse Show Grounds required us to execute custom design work without permanent alterations or damage to the existing architecture. The balance between innovation and preservation was critical. - Ensuring Efficiency in Logistics and Compliance
With multiple scenic elements, decor, and infrastructure requirements, transportation and setup had to be executed with precision. Additionally, strict adherence to fire and engineering certifications meant ensuring every build element was compliant without stifling creativity.
Insights That Drove Our Solutions
- Start with the Why: Unifying the Team Around Purpose
Rather than approaching this project as a set of logistical tasks, we anchored ourselves in a clear purpose: to create an unforgettable holiday festival that would leave lasting memories. Every decision, from staffing to decor, was made in service of this goal. By aligning the entire team around this purpose, we ensured seamless collaboration and execution. - Design with Intention: Beauty Meets Functionality
Understanding that beauty alone isn’t enough, we focused on intentional design. The custom-built fireplace in Bergy’s Brauhaus was an example of this—crafted from lightweight, hand-carved foam, it provided the warmth and ambiance of a real hearth while allowing for easy storage and future use. By prioritizing modularity, we created spaces that were immersive but not permanent, ensuring reusability and cost efficiency. - Innovation in Preservation: Enhancing Without Alteration
When designing Kringle’s Whiskey Room, we needed to transform the bar’s aesthetic while preserving its original facade. The solution? A firewood facade that seamlessly refreshed the space without making permanent changes. This same principle guided our approach to every interior transformation—enhance, don’t alter. - Precision in Execution: A Logistics-First Approach
Immersive experiences can only come to life when logistics support the creative vision. By leveraging a rigorous logistics plan, we ensured all elements, from decor installation to signage and site maintenance, arrived and were installed on time. This meticulous planning was essential in meeting compliance requirements without disrupting creativity.
Insights Gained from the Experience
- The Power of Storytelling in Space Design
The North Pole Library underscored a critical learning—spaces are not just backdrops; they are characters in the story. The right combination of visual storytelling, props, and environment can transport guests into another world. This project reaffirmed that great experiential design is about evoking emotion, not just assembling elements. - Immersion is in the Details
Every small touch, from the plaid cushions in Kringle’s Whiskey Room to the exposed beams in Bergy’s Brauhaus, reinforced the authenticity of the spaces. Details that might seem insignificant at first glance are often the most memorable to guests. - Collaboration is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage
Bringing together production teams, custom fabricators, logistics managers, and event operators under one cohesive vision was the key to success. This reinforced an invaluable lesson: when teams are aligned with purpose and trust one another’s expertise, the impossible becomes possible.
At Our People Entertainment, we don’t just build events—we build experiences that resonate. This project was a testament to the power of thoughtful design, seamless execution, and, most importantly, a clear sense of why. In the end, success wasn’t just about meeting logistical challenges—it was about creating something truly unforgettable.
