Happy Birthday to us… Part 2!

75th Dedication Plaque

We (I) recently discovered from IAAPA historian Jim Futrell (shameless plug listen to our interview with him here) that Santa Claus Land kind of has two opening days, so we…

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Merch Mondays

Every department is getting really excited to celebrate our 75th, but our merchandise department is going especially over the top. They’ve bombarded us with photos and ideas, and the collection…

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Founder’s Day

Ronald Reagan. Louis J. Koch, Santa Jim Yellig

Today is the birthdate of Louis J. Koch. Let’s declare it to be Founder’s Day! Did you know that Holiday World started out as a retirement project? It was back…

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That “Harper Valley PTA” Girl!

Jeannie C. Riley ad

What in the world do Jeannie C. Riley and the song Harper Valley PTA have to do with Holiday World? The Grammy Award winner’s connection is with Santa Claus Land, actually; she performed…

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Long may he wave

Santa Waving from Marketplace Balcony

What’s that? High atop the tower at the new Santa’s Merry Marketplace? It’s Santa Claus! #VolumeUp The tower itself is nearly six stories tall. Each morning, Santa and his helper…

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#ThrowbackThursday: Ski Show

Human Pyramid

Did you know we used to have a water-ski show? It was a long time ago. Sixty years, actually. It was called the Willie Bartley Water Ski Show and was…

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Memories of coaster names

1995 Brochure cover

We call it The Name Game here. Whenever we have something new, it needs a name. Over the years, we’ve spent untold hours coming up with themed names for attractions,…

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The Eagles have sanded

Eagles Flight face

Every decade or so, our Eagles Flight ride gets a serious makeover. Those birds get plucked. Sanded down, actually. You know, like those high-priced treatments at a fancy spa. Here’s Joe…

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Happy Birthday, Santa Jim!

Santa Claus

He was born on February 18, 1894. Santa Jim. Countless children whispered in Santa’s ear over his decades wearing the red suit here at Santa Claus Land. The story of…

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