Last Friday the riverwalk was bustling with activity. A line to see Santa stretched hundreds of feet, but moved steadily. Carriage rides were enjoyed by those who wanted to go for a spin. Reindeer made a visit, roasted chestnuts and hot dogs were offered. And an ice sculpture was created.
Here are a few of the things which took place. We were also able to have Santa answer some questions, which are below the photos. Thanks, Santa for taking time out of your busy schedule.
There’s still time to see Santa! He’ll be at the riverwalk Wednesday, December 13 and 20 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm and Saturday, December 16 from 10:30am – 1:00pm.
Kids are able to leave letters for Santa during the month of December.
Inside Santa’s temporary home with Mrs. Claus, the Cozy Cabin is decorated with many things for visitors to look at.
Elves can even be found watching, making sure everyone is on the nice list.
Inside the Chamber building you’ll find cookies and hot chocolate. It’s also a nice spot to warm up if it’s cold outside. But if you were interested in warming up while outside a warming fire was available (but not photographed).
Lights donned the riverwalk making for a festive atmosphere.
Free hot dogs were provided by Arctic Heating and Cooling and the Lowell Area Historical Museum handed out roasted chestnuts.
Reindeer were also on hand to greet visitors. They’re resting up for their big trip the night of December 24.
Santa and Mrs. Claus hope the Lowell community and those who come to visit have a Merry Christmas!
Santa has a busy schedule this time of year. But he took a few minutes to answer some questions for us. We appreciate him giving a look into the life of Santa. Below are the questions we asked and his responses.
1. How long have you been visiting Lowell?
I believe my first year visiting Lowell was in 2002.
2. What do you do between visits with kids while you’re in Lowell?
Between my visits in Lowell I am making visits with hundreds of other children all over West Michigan. They might be small private visits to someone’s home or visits to large corporate events.
3. How do you like your temporary room off the Showboat?
The room that Mrs. Claus and I are using now is VERY NICE. It is decorated very cute and everyone loves how it looks and the spot where our photos are taken is decorated like a small log cabin. We even have a real sleigh inside that children can get their pictures taken in. Also a plus is that the room is larger than the space we had on the showboat so we can get more visitors inside than we could on the showboat.
4. Do you have a favorite reindeer?
No, they are all my favorite depending on which one I happen to be with at the time, however, Rudolph is still the favorite among most of the children.
5. Do you get anything for Christmas each year?
Yes, I get a few gifts each year from children that I am visiting. They range from a package of fresh beef jerky to new gloves to lots of homemade goodies, as well as hundreds of colored pictures. These I take back to the North Pole and put them on our large refrigerator in the workshop so the elves can see them as well.
6. What is the best thing about being in the Christmas parade?
Mrs. Claus and I both love seeing all the smiling faces on the kids of every age.
7. How long does it take for you to fly around the world as you pass out gifts?
Because of all the Christmas magic we have at the North Pole, along with the time zone changes, the rotation of the earth, the prevailing winds and of course my reindeer we are able to make the trip around the world in just one night.
8. Have you ever been seen by a kid as you were leaving a gift?
Yes, I have been caught a few times over the years. This can make it very difficult for me because the kids are very excited and sometimes wake up the rest of the family and then they want a photo taken or they want to visit and have unending questions. This is why I deliver the gifts over night rather than during the daytime.
9. What do you do in your off time?
Mrs. Claus and I really don’t take vacations, we like to just go places where we can see kids and watch how they behave. We like to go to parks or take walks and then we start over again in the workshop, and of course I take a long winters nap! We also like to spend some time with our elves.
10. Do you have a favorite kind of cookie?
Santa likes just about every kind of cookie made. I ask kids what is their favorite kind of cookie? Once they tell me then I tell them to make that kind of cookie and leave one or two for me and then they and their family can eat the rest of them.
11. Is there anything else you’d like to tell the Lowell community?
Santa loves visiting with all the children in Lowell and around West Michigan. If you liked visiting Santa on the Lowell Showboat the same people have decorated the Santa room that we are using now. It is right across the sidewalk from the showboat and this room is heated. You also will be able to see drawings of what they hope the NEW Lowell Showboat will look like when it’s built in the next couple of years. Then Santa and Mrs. Claus will be able to visit all the children on the Showboat again! Plus there will be a lot more room on the new boat for our visits! Santa and Mrs. Claus can’t wait!!
Mrs. Claus and I love you all!! BELIEVE
Forever Christmas
Love,
Santa
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