Santa from Santa's Village: They Wore the Red Suit

Monday, May 23, 2011

They Wore the Red Suit

We have the great privilege to be part of a new film that documents some of the legendary Santa Clauses of the past and some of the Santas of today. Film maker Larry Peter and his staff at Power Plant Productions is creating a wonderful behind the scenes look at the vocation and business of being the man in the red suit. We have already filmed with Larry at Santa’s Village in East Dundee, Illinois and in Santa Claus, Indiana. This weekend we will be filming again at Santa’s Village at the opening of the park.

In the upcoming months we will travel with the film crew to the National Christmas Center outside Philadelphia, to Albion, New York to look at the history of Charles W. Howard, to New York City and Macy’s, back to Santa Claus, Indiana to look at the history of Jim Yellig. In between all this we will film some more at Santa’s Village and a few other locations. It will be a busy summer.

Working with Larry and his crew on this film has been and is a great pleasure. I am honored to be a part of this film and I am looking forward to the final product. For more information on They Wore the Red Suit please visit the film’s official website at www.thesantamovie.com

Welcome...

Welcome to my blog site. Over the course of the past 30 plus years, I have had the good fortune and luck to be involved with some wonderful people, places and events while doing my job, which is being Santa Claus. Being Santa from Santa’s Village has been a wonderful experience. As with most careers, there is planning, preparation and just a little bit of good luck. Many people along my journey have given me some great opportunities, while other opportunities I found myself.

Being in a position where I have spent most of my life working with the public in a character role that is known to most everyone, there have been some unique individuals that are part of my career and life. What the public sees and what happens behind the scenes is always two different points of view. That’s what my short stories are all about.

I hope you enjoy my “Reflections and Memories.”

Sincerely,
Phillip L. Wenz

About Phillip L. Wenz

If ever there was a man born to be Santa Claus it is Phillip L. Wenz. As a four-year-old child, he donned his first Santa outfit. By the time he was fourteen he was in his first parade and at the ripe old age of twenty-three, he became the year-round Santa Claus for the iconic Santa’s Village theme park in Dundee, Illinois. It is an association he has now had for more than 25 years. He is the longest tenured Santa in the park’s 50 year history and as one of the very few full time professional Santa Clauses, he appears in costume at the park and at special events over 200 days a year.

Wenz has appeared in over 35 Christmas Parades including the nationally televised parades in Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas. He has been Santa on numerous TV shows, billboards, commercials, and magazine covers, along with appearing at some of the nation’s largest corporate and civic holiday events, including emceeing the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies in both Chicago and Houston. As Santa he has been given the title of "Chicago's Very Own" by WGN-TV, awarded the 1994 Brass Ring Award for Best Theme Park Commercial by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), and received the "Hats Off 2 Houston" award from KPRC-TV in Houston. In 2012 he was presented the “Spirit of St. Nicholas” award in Detroit, Michigan.

His resume also includes work in Santa Claus, Indiana at the historic Candy Castle, consulting on Christmas programs, and being a published author. He is considered a leading authority and historian on the Santa Claus legend, history, and folklore. Wenz is, bar none, one of the most experienced Santas in the world and is the creator of the Santa Claus Oath, which is widely accepted by nearly every Santa portrayer across the globe.

The Santa Claus Oath outlines eight principles that any portrayer of Santa Claus should follow. Wenz created theOath in April 2008. The framework of the Oath was inspired by two legendary Santa Clauses, Jim Yellig of Santa Claus, Indiana, and Charles W. Howard of Albion, New York. The Santa Claus Oath is dedicated to both of these men. In March of 2009, at the worldwide Santa Claus Convention in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Wenz gave the keynote speech and presented the Santa Claus Oath for the first time in public to the Santa Claus community. At the convention, over 650 Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and helpers recited in unison the Oath’s eight principles.

As the author of the Oath and a premiere collector of Santa Claus artifacts and memorabilia, Wenz has been asked to confer on numerous projects in the television, film, literature, and media industries. In 2009, he developed the Santa Claus Oath Foundation to make his research materials and collections available to more people, companies, and civic organizations, including the Santa Claus community itself. The Foundation is an establishment specializing in the preservation and perpetuation of the Santa Claus Oath, the Santas of the past, Santa history, and Santa artifacts as a chronological part of the Legend of Santa Claus to educate the current and future generations of those who are or will be a Santa Claus in the tradition of St. Nicholas the gift giver of Myra.

Wenz is also the owner of Santa Claus Productions. Established in 1989, Santa Claus Productions is the parent company to many of Wenz’s business to business relationships. Clients include the City of Chicago, Santa’s Village, Houston Downtown District, Brach’s Candy, St. Nicholas Development, Santa & Co., LLC, The Weber Group, Nicholas of Myra –Movie, They Wore The Red Suit – TV Documentary, ClausNet, Santa America, numerous chambers of commerce and business associations. Part of the company’s broad base is in the tourism and special events field with its public relations skills and working knowledge of the unique Santa Claus and Christmas industries.

In December 2010, Wenz was bestowed with the highest honor a Santa Claus can receive; enshrinement as a charter member into the Santa Claus Hall of Fame in Santa Claus, Indiana. Of the original 14 honorees, including the first department store Santa and several men born in the 19th century, Wenz is the first living Santa to be inducted.

Santa's Goodbye to Santa's Village

My Dear Friends,

Santa’s Village is now a part of our collective memories. The recent efforts to save the Park have come to an end. All parties made a gallant attempt. At this time Santa’s Village is closed not knowing when or if the Park will ever open again.

On Memorial Day, May 30, 1959, Mrs. Claus and I made Santa’s Village in Dundee, Illinois our official home. The Park was the third such village built by Glenn Holland of Crestline, California. Skyforest, California 1955 was the first (closed 1998) and Scotts Valley, California in 1957 (closed 1979) was the second. The first few years our Village in Dundee was open 364 days a year. Over time the season was shorten to the more commonly known schedule.

A lot has changed in the 47 years since Santa’s Village first opened. The Polar Dome Ice Arena, completed in February 1963, added a new state of the art ice rink to the property. The Dome had a huge inflatable roof that was at the time the largest in the world. Sadly a storm came through the area in 1966 and tore the space age material. A year later a flat roof was added.

Attractions of Santa’s Village have come and gone. Some of you might remember the Christmas Tree Ride, the Pony Carts, and the Candy Cane Sleigh. How about the Pumpkin Coach or the Swiss Toboggan? Some of the attractions have endured over time, such as the Snowball Ride, Santa's House and of course the landmark of the Park – the frozen NORTH POLE!

You might have worked at the Village over the years. Ride operators, shop workers, and food service hosts have added to the Park’s history. In the early days, pixies and elves helped our little visitors. Later our helpers wore brightly colored shirts and shorts. It is amazing that more than 11,000 teenagers and adults have worked at Santa’s Village. Thank you all!

Numerous people have contributed to the longevity of Santa’s Village. Most of them have worked behind the scenes. We thank them for their talents and contributions:

Owners - (1959) Santa’s Village Corporation of California, Glenn Holland and General Contractor J. P. Henck, (1966) Durell Everding Management, (1972) Barney Clark and the Medina Investors, and (1978) North Pole Corporation: Hugh Wilson and Philip Oestreich.

Park General Managers – Charles L. Poe, Ray Van Royen, Jack Morningstar, and Mr. Don Holliman, who for 31 years served as General Manager for Santa’s Village and 35 years as General Manager with the Polar Dome Ice Arena. Crystal Varney who worked at the Park for more than 30 years in numerous venues such as group sales, personnel, and more recently as Director of Operations.

My Santa predecessors – James L. Combs, Eric John Lavoie, and the wonderful Don Goers. Plus Alan Payne and others who filled in from time to time.

Santa’s Village has welcomed over twenty million guests. Children of all ages have been entertained and memories have been made. Folks who visited us in 1959 have brought their children, grandchildren and even some great grandchildren through our doors. On behalf of employees, management, and owners, I personally thank all of you that have made Santa’s Village a childhood icon. We bid you a fond farewell and goodbye. And to all those who will keep Santa’s Village in your heart forever…remember… “Leave your cares behind and let them fade away Santa’s Village will always be just a dream away!”

With our Warmest Regards to Children of all ages,
Santa Claus

Santa from Santa's Village

Santa’s Village Dundee, Illinois original Santa on opening day in May of 1959 was Mr. James L. Combs, a native of Northern California. Combs trained to be Santa for the Dundee Village in 1958 at the Scotts Valley California Santa’s Village under Santa trainer Carl Hansen. Jim Combs would be the Park’s official Santa until the end 1961.

The role of Santa Claus was taken over by Eric John Lavoie in 1962. Better known as by his middle name John, Lavoie would be the Park’s main Santa until 1965. As Santa, he also appeared in three one reel-movies produced by Florida based producer, K. Gordon Murray. The featuretts were filmed at Santa’s Village Dundee in 1964 and 1965. The first movie, Santa Claus and His Helpers, was released in the fall of 1964 and the other two films, Santa’s Magic Kingdom and Santa’s Enchanted Village, were released in 1966.

In 1966, the duties of Santa Claus were taken over fulltime that year by Don Goers. An Algonquin, Illinois native, Don came to Santa’s Village in 1959 as a maintenance man and helped out where ever he could. One day he and another Park employee were working on the Snowball ride when Santa walked up and asked if they knew of anyone who could help him out and give him a day off. Don spoke up and said yes I do…me! Goers was the main Santa from 1966 to 1979.

Spring of 1980 saw Alan Payne assume the role of Santa Claus. Alan appeared in the title role until the end of the 1983 season. In 1984, Tom Ratcliff played the character for one season before he became Santa’s Village’s public relations director the following year. Instant Photo Corporation of America supplied Santa Claus in 1985 and 1986 when numerous men played the role.

Phillip L. Wenz‘s 20 year association with Santa’s Village came through a contract with Instant Photo Corporation of America. Wenz first appeared as Santa at the Park in 1986. In 1989 he formed his own company and was given the contract to be Santa from Santa’s Village.

Besides James L. Combs, Eric John Lavoie, Don Goers, and Phillip L. Wenz others have donned the red suit to help with a season. These men include: Harold Chudd, Greg Salovachek, Bill Sadowski, Nick Christoforakis, Keith Strauss, Jeff Little and Shawn Conway.

What Happened

A lot of rumors and questions have been asked of us over the past two years about what is happening at the Santa's Village property on IL RTS 25 & 72 in East Dundee, Illinois and what might be happening at the Grand Bear Lodge Resort property in Utica, Illinois. Well...let’s start at the October 2006 auction.

At the auction, the non-fixed assets of North Pole Corporation were auctioned off. The buildings were left as was the infrastructure. What was auctioned? Basically it was the rides, kitchen equipment, and merchandise of the park. All personal property and awarded property was removed prior to the auction. North Pole Corporation had an early November 2006 parking lot sale of some left over items. North Pole Corporation has no rights to anything connected with the park after filing a bankruptcy a few months later. They have nothing to do with it anymore.

The ill-fated attempt by local businessmen Steve Hopp and Doug Francis ended with judgments against their North Pole Village, L.L.C. in the amount of $400,000.00 plus. According to the Secretary of State (Illinois), North Pole Village, L.L.C. has been dissolved.

Neither North Pole Corporation nor North Pole Village, L.L.C. has been or is even allowed on the property without permission of the property owner.

Rumors have come and gone on this subject. The facts are simple. The property owners have looked into many ideas and talked to many people. As of this date, no fixed plans are in the works. There is however talks with a group that favors an ice rink and a Santa's Village type environment. I cannot disclose at this time what that all entails.

On the plans of a Santa's Village at Utica, Illinois. Talks are still progressing in a positive manner. In December, I toured the proposed area that might support the park. It is a perfect environment.

To sum this up. There is still a good possibility of Santa's Village coming back in some form. The people who are involved with all of this know each other. The main objective is for something positive to come out of this situation. The East Dundee community needs the 25 & 72 property to come alive. They cannot afford the property to lay non-producing for much longer. Utica needs more attractions to help develop a destination factor to its tourism.

One other factor...on the 25 & 72 property, a group of us have been staying at the park over the last two years to provide security. The East Dundee Police have helped greatly in this manner. On behalf of the property owners, Thanks.

Santa's House

For 46 years Santa’s House inside Santa’s Village theme park had been home to jolly old St. Nick! This storybook cottage was host to hundreds of thousands of children that spent that magical moment with Santa Claus. Filled with antiques, set near the center of the park, the house was a nostalgic example of old-time Christmas spirit and hospitality.

When venturing up to Santa’s House, one could see and touch the frozen North Pole right outside the front door. The “Pole” stayed icy even on the hottest summer days. At the front door a giant key unlocked the secrets of the home to visitors. Inside you could see Santa’s sleigh loaded with Christmas goodies, a beautiful tree that stayed up all year long and the huge cobblestone fireplace that warmed the home on those “cold winter nights.” Children could sit at Santa’s desk and sign his Good Book. Twinkle lights, decorations, and wrapped packages adorn the rafters.

Imagine the look on a child’s face when he or she came into this house of real make-believe! Santa talked and visited with everyone just as he had since the “Village” opened in 1959. Santa’s House was the home of all that makes childhood fantasy a magical memory for children of all ages.

Santa's Village - Dundee, IL

Santa’s Village in Dundee, Illinois was the third of three “Villages” to be opened by Southern California developer Glenn Holland. The first Santa’s Village opened in 1955 near Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County, California. (Closed 1998) A second Santa’s Village opened in 1957 near Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County, California. (Closed 1979)

Santa’s Village Corporation and general contractor Putnam Henck built Santa’s Village in Dundee in 9 months at the cost of one million dollars. A very tidy sum for the day. The Park officially opened on Memorial Day Weekend in 1959 to large crowds. On hand to greet these visitors of all ages was Santa, Mrs. Claus, and numerous helpers dressed as pixies and elves. These pixies and elves operated rides, worked shops, and served food to the public. Santa had a petting zoo with sheep, ducks, goats, and Penny Peck the educated chicken. Children could ride a Mexican burro or a sleigh pulled by real live reindeer from Unalakeet, Alaska. Other rides included a giant whirling Christmas tree, gasoline powered tractors, and the Tree House Slide. Children could see a puppet show at the Wee Puppet Theatre, a giant Jack-in-the-Box, and brightly colored mushrooms dotted the landscape.

Santa's Village Book

Since 1959, Santa’s Village in Dundee, has entertained millions. The park was born of a man who as a child had no real Christmas. Glenn Holland grew up in California during the Great Depression. His parents died by the time he was 18 years old, leaving him to care for his younger sister. As a father, he tried to give his own children the type of Christmas that he only knew in his dreams. In the early 1950s, struck with inspiration, Holland sat at his kitchen table one day and started to sketch his idea for a Christmas fairyland where all the magic of the holiday would come to life: Santa’s Village. Holland and general contractor Putnam Henck built three Santa’s Villages, two in California and one in Dundee.

Phillip L. Wenz is the Dundee Park’s resident Santa Claus and official historian. Besides his duties at Santa’s Village, Wenz has been seen in numerous televised parades and national holiday events. Utilizing his personal collection of pictures, memorabilia, and rare park photographs, readers can once again reminisce about the fun of Santa’s Village throughout the years. It is all here, the Christmas Tree Ride, the twirling Snowballs, Santa’s House, and the Frozen North Pole.

The Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.

Book Review

‘The best job in the world’: Portraying Santa at Santa’s Village inspires new book By Gerard Dziuba - 08/24/2007

The Daily Herald - Arlington Heights, Illinois -This is a story not only about a new book that has been written about the Three Worlds of Santa's Village theme park -- but its author, Phillip Wenz. One can't be written without the other, because both have played an important role in the northern Fox Valley history in the last 40 years. The park came along before Wenz. It was born in 1959. He came along three years later. And when he was 4 years old, the bond was created. That was when Wenz first visited Santa Claus at the now-closed East Dundee park. And, for many years, he actually wore the white beard and red suit, and was the park's official patriarch. Even though Santa's Village closed in 2006, the bond continues. And since the 38-acre vacant property can't talk or write, Wenz took up the task. He's been jotting down memories and gathering photographs for his book, "Images of America: Santa's Village." "For years, I have been keeping notes and a journal of happenings at the park," he said. "It was like putting together a puzzle. There's so many things that happened there." Twenty million people rode the rides, ate hot dogs and popcorn and fell in love with the park on Route 25. There were also more than 10,000 employees, many of whom were teenagers who fell in and out of love, and started their working careers there. "Three movies were filmed there," Wenz said. "People got married in the Chapel of the Little Shepherd and on the ice of the Polar Dome and 'Wide World of Sports' filmed the National Speed Skating Championship there." And all the while, Wenz's white-gloved hand waved to the crowd and soaked in more images and memories. "I had the best job in the world." he said. "I played Santa Claus." Not only did he portray him, but he held classes so other people could portray Santa with the same zeal. Santa's Village in East Dundee was the third in a chain of similar parks. The other two, in California, have also closed. When the northern Kane County park opened, it was the largest amusement park of its kind in the Midwest. At first, it was open year-round. But people didn't like spinning around in winter's cold, so, after a few years it closed until the warm months arrived. Debbie Rupnick was one of the teenagers who found her first job at Santa's Village. She worked on a couple of rides, and is quite excited about the Monday release of the book. "I'll buy it and look through it closely to see if there's a picture of me in it," she said. "It will be fun to look at." It also will bring back a lot of memories for her and other Dundee Township-area residents who worked and played there. The property now is not much to look at. The rides were sold at auction and weeds grow in the parking lot. But don't say goodbye to the park just yet. "Oh, the final chapter on Santa's Village has not been written," Wenz said. "We're pursuing some opportunities." But he would not say whether he himself plans to buy the property.

Santa's Village Project

For fifty years, in three locations, Santa’s Village theme parks have delighted the young at heart. From the opening of the first Santa’s Village in Sky Forest, California in May of 1955 to the untimely closing of the Dundee, Illinois Park in September of 2005, these magical playgrounds originally brought to life the aspects of the Santa Claus legend. From Santa’s House to the Christmas Tree ride and all the attractions in-between, each Santa’s Village became a regional icon of childhood and of a time that has past.

With the closing of Santa’s Village Dundee, the era of the local “kiddie” park seems to be at hand. There are very few attractions of this nature left in the United States. With everyone driving through life at a feverish pace, we sometimes forget to slowdown a bit and enjoy our families, friends, and our memories. Before you know it, the opportunity of experiencing and preserving a bit of your own childhood to share with your children or grand children has passed you by.

In past decades, the Chicagoland area boasted numerous venues of childhood fantasy that no longer exist. From amusement parks like Riverview, Adventureland, Old Chicago, Dispenser’s Kiddie Kingdom to television programs like Garfield Goose, Cartoon Town and the venerable Bozo’s Circus, a part of local children’s history will not be experienced by new generations. Who, even five years ago, could imagine a Chicago without Marshall Fields on State Street.

The Santa’s Village Project is an attempt to sustain a portion of childhood magic for the next generation. Over the course of the last six months we have looked at the financial requirements, the three possible locations and the partners who have showed interest in this endeavor. We have had the good fortune of having complete access to the former Santa’s Village property in Dundee along with proposed venues in Utica, Illinois and in central Illinois.

Our goal is simple…the redevelopment of a new Santa’s Village in Illinois. It would not be a park as such, but would reflect the best of the old and the excitement of the new. A destination of varied attractions, shopping and dining that will delightfully entertain the young at heart once again.

Santa’s Village is a memory worth repeating!

Visit Santa from Santa's Village Click Here .

Santa from Santa's Village

Monday, May 23, 2011

They Wore the Red Suit

Welcome...

Website

About Phillip L. Wenz

Blog Archive

Santa's Goodbye to Santa's Village

Santa from Santa's Village

What Happened

Santa's House

Santa's Village - Dundee, IL

Santa's Village Book

Book Review

Santa's Village Project

Links