Timeline: from Santa Claus Land to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari   1941 Louis J. Koch visits the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, and begins plans to open what is to become the world’s first theme park. 1945 Construction of Santa Claus Land begins (August 4). 1946 Opening day of the world’s first theme park,…

Longtime employees honored SANTA CLAUS, IN—–Eight employees at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari were recently honored for their years of service at the world’s first theme park. “Each year, we present Service Awards to employees who have been with our park family for multiples of five years,” says park president Matt Eckert. “It’s this core…

Park invests $5.5 million in 2019 SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Holiday World’s iconic Kringle’s Kafe will serve its final customers on October 28, as construction of the new Santa’s Merry Marketplace begins in November. “We’re ramping up the theming and the menus for next season,” says park president Matt Eckert. “Santa’s Merry Marketplace is nearly 50 percent…

73 Years of Family Fun SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–The history of the nation’s first theme park is the story of a family which has, for seven decades, dedicated itself to providing millions of guests with good, old-fashioned family fun. Evansville, Ind., industrialist Louis J. Koch created the world’s first theme park as a retirement project. He…

‘Come Alive!’ show features performers from Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana SANTA CLAUS, IND—– Holiday World’s four holiday-themed sections will merge into a single theme starting this weekend, as the park opens its Happy Halloween Weekends on September 22. “Holiday World is all about family fun and making memories – and certainly that includes the…

Holiday World voted Cleanest Park SANTA CLAUS, IND.—– Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Wildebeest water coaster took top honors once again during the 2018 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony, held this weekend at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. For the ninth year in a row, Holiday World’s Wildebeest water coaster was named the World’s #1…

Companies Plan Holiday World ‘Buy-Outs’ SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–A pair of corporate buy-outs will close Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari to the public the next two Sundays. The companies participating in the buy-outs are: Sunday, September 9: Kimball International and Kimball Electronics Sunday, September 16: Toyota Indiana Close to 20,000 employees and family members from Kimball…

SANTA CLAUS, IND.—–Holiday World opens for the season on Saturday, with $3.5 million in additions and improvements. This weekend, Holiday World’s visitors will experience: Track improvements and new control system for The Voyage, the world’s second-longest wooden roller coaster Newly restored Scarecrow Scrambler, a classic ride added to the park in 1975 Electric Car Charging…