Santa's House returns to bring holiday spirit

Santa Claus is coming back to town. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, children can again visit with the jolly old elf, starting Friday, when the Kiwanis Club of Findlay opens the doors of Santa's House to the community. "We are so excited to have it back. Personally it's my favorite event," said Kiwanis club president Danielle Wilkin. "It's a big reason why I joined the club and why I knew about Kiwanis." Prior to taking up temporary residence in the lobby of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Santa will light the City of Findlay Christmas tree in Dorney Plaza at 6 p.m. Friday, officially kicking off the holiday season. "It's a natural partnership and it's really nice that one of the Kiwanis events can be interwoven with a community event," said Wilkin. "We love that Kiwanis, at the heart of it, is a community organization that supports families and children specifically so it totally makes sense. After the tree lighting, Santa will return to the church where he will meet with children and families until 8 p.m. All are welcome. Visits will continue from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Hot chocolate and cookies, donated by local bakeries, will be served. Admission is free. There will also be free wagon rides along Main Street. Santa's House has been a project of the Kiwanis Club since 2000. Prior to that, Laureate Beta Phi of Beta Sigma Phi partnered with the Findlay Downtown Area Association to sponsor the event. As far back as 1964, Santa has been making pre-holiday stops in Findlay. That year, he arrived by helicopter at the Findlay Village Mall. After spending the morning there greeting children, he made his way to Santa's House which was located at 311 S. Main St., escorted by then-Findlay Mayor John Sausser, majorettes, baton twirlers and the Shrine Clown Unit calliope. Alpha Chi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi took over Santa's House in 1972. The parades continued and the chapter also sponsored breakfast with Santa and Santa House royalty. Alpha Chi became Laureate Beta Phi in 1993, and the sorority partnered with the downtown association to sponsor Santa's House. The location was moved to the Findlay Municipal Building in 1990. When the sorority was no longer able to host the event, members asked Kiwanis to take over Santa's House as a club project. The venue changed to St. Andrew's church in 2013. The most recent Santa's House held in 2019 was attended by about 2,800 visitors, said Wilkin. When the pandemic hit, the club had to come up with another way to celebrate while still keeping everyone safe. Members instead organized Santa's Mailbox, she said. Children were encouraged to write letters to Santa and then drop them in one of the two Santa mailboxes located downtown. "The Kiwanis elves helped by writing back to the children, then Santa signed all of them. I hear that Santa, who just wrote his name, his hand was very cramped," Wilkin said, laughing. In 2020, close to 400 children wrote Santa a letter. Wilkin said over 250 messages were received last year. She said they had hoped to do letters again this year as well, but they weren't able to figure it out logistically. Members spent a Saturday morning preparing Santa's House for visitors. This year, the church lobby is decorated with 10 trees. New this year are several woodland yule trees with birds and squirrels. "The different trees are all scenes so there's a gingerbread tree, an elf tree, an all red and white candy cane tree, woodland trees, so everyone has their favorite," said Wilkin. "And we try to change up the decorations every year." She said member Pat Garlock does an amazing job taking charge of the decorating. "She takes our decorations and even tweaks it a little bit so nothing is exactly the same as every year. But everybody likes to look at the trees and there's little details kind of hidden. There's a lot of thought that goes into it," said Wilkin. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own cameras or cell phones for photos with Santa. Children will also receive a gift bag - while supplies last. Each will include a coloring book donated by Marbee Printing, some crayons and a goodie item. Books will also be available, said Wilkin. "Especially the first night we'll definitely have enough. I don't know if we'll have enough after that due to supply chain issues," she explained. Wilkin said the club is excited to have the event again and for everyone to come visit Santa's House. "And because it's a community event, we're happy to put it on and especially offer a free activity for families," she said.