Santa Claus, IN

Santa Claus a Finalist for "Most Fun" Town

June 9, 2011 (Santa Claus, Ind.) - The town of Santa Claus is one of 30 contenders in the Best of the Road contest sponsored by USA Today and Rand McNally. Competing with six other finalists in the category for "Most Fun," Santa Claus, Indiana was selected from over 600 locales.

On June 23, five teams of travelers will journey from New York City to Los Angeles by July 15. Each team will visit six towns in an assigned category: most beautiful, most patriotic, friendliest, most fun, and best food, as well as points of interest en route.

The teams will choose the number one town in each of their respective categories and the towns will be highlighted on the Rand McNally website and in the 2013 Rand McNally Road Atlas, as well as on USA Today's Travel site. Winning towns will be announced on July 22.

"We are so excited that Santa Claus, Indiana, is one of the finalists in the Best of the Road contest," says Melissa Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Spencer County Visitors Bureau. "We're proud to be considered one of the "Most Fun" towns in America."

More details about the Rand McNally contest can be found at: http://www.BestOfTheRoad.com www.bestoftheroad.com/> and photos are available upon request.

Source: http://tristatehomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=278197

The family that owns Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus has donated $25,000 to the Lincoln Amphitheatre in Spencer County. The gift is in memory of Will Koch, who passed away last year. His mother Pat says the family is encouraging others to donate with the hope of having the contribution double to jump start the amphitheatre's fund drive.

SANTA CLAUS, IND-----With Abraham Lincoln's birthday just around the corner, Holiday World's Koch family today issues a $25,000 challenge gift to Lincoln Amphitheatre in memory of Will Koch.

"My oldest son was such an admirer of our sixteenth president," says Holiday World matriarch Pat Koch. "Part of Will's legacy is his dedication to seeing the story of Abraham Lincoln's Indiana roots shared in Lincoln Amphitheatre."

Abraham Lincoln grew up what is now Lincoln City, Indiana, from the time he was seven until he was 21. Lincoln City is located four miles west of the town of Santa Claus.

The Koch family and Holiday World are encouraging others to donate to Lincoln Amphitheatre in memory of Will Koch, who passed away last June at the age of 48. Thousands of friends and admirers from around the world who sent their condolences remembered him for his vision, integrity, and sense of humor. Will Koch was president of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari for more than 20 years and also served as president of the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association. His widow, Lori, now serves on the association's board.

"We hope our gift will inspire others to make a donation as well," says Pat Koch. "Our goal is to see today's contribution double, helping to jump-start the amphitheatre's upcoming fund drive so that they may continue telling the story of Lincoln's Indiana years for many seasons to come."

Lincoln Amphitheatre staff recently announced a planned "re-tooling" of the Lincoln: Upon the Altar of Freedom play, which is expected to return as a more family-friendly musical in 2012. Meanwhile, the amphitheatre will host a variety of outdoor films and theatrical presentations this summer, including a collaborative production of The Wizard of Oz with the Evansville Civic Theatre.

Donations may be made through Lincoln Amphitheatre's website at LincolnAmphitheatre.com by clicking on the "Donate and Support" button. Lincoln Amphitheatre is located in Lincoln State Park and is operated by the non-profit Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association.

Source: Holiday World and Splashin' Safari & Inside Indiana Business

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=46118

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari President Dan Koch says the parks have topped one-million in attendance for the fifth year in a row. The attraction in Santa Claus has wrapped up its 64th season by setting an attendance record with nearly 1.2 million guests. Holiday World has also announced former President Will Koch has been inducted into the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame.

SANTA CLAUS, IND-----Holiday World finished its 64th season today by setting a new seasonal attendance record, up nearly 14 percent from the previous record, set last year.

"This is the fifth year in a row we've topped one million in attendance," says park president Dan Koch. "We're very grateful to all the families who came to visit our parks."

With a final count of 1,182,636 guests, Koch credits the season's growth with the addition of Wildebeest, the world's longest water coaster, plus the parks' budget-friendly free soft drinks, along with a continued concentration on cleanliness and friendliness.

"So much of the credit for our growth goes to the incredible service and hospitality provided by our Hosts and Hostesses," Koch says. "As far as we're concerned, it takes more than great rides and shows to make a park worth visiting. We are very appreciative of our hard-working staff."

Koch became president of the park in June, following the unexpected death of his brother Will, who had guided the park's successful growth and development for more than two decades. Over the weekend, the World Waterpark Association (WWA) inducted Will Koch into its Waterpark Hall of Fame. According to the WWA, their Waterpark Hall of Fame "honors the water leisure industry's most important pioneers and innovators."

"This is a great honor for a great man," says Dan Koch. "I am thankful for my brother's life."

Holiday World, the world's first theme park, will open its 65th season on May 7, 2011. Splashin' Safari will open for the season on May 13, with the debut of Safari Sam's SplashLand, a children's water-play area with eight new water slides. For more information visit www.holidayworld.com or call 1-877-Go-Family.

Source: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari & Inside INdiana Business

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=44083

Officials at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus are reporting an increase in customers this year of approximately 13 percent. Public Relations Director Paula Werne says the jump can be mainly attributed to the debut of the park's new water coaster, Wildebeest. Holiday World has also announced plans for more than $5 million in improvements by next summer.

That includes $1 million in parking lot improvements and additional restrooms.

Werne says the decisions on what improvements should be made comes partly from customer feedback, along with the park's long-term planning process.

She also says the debut of a major new ride usually leads to a two-year bump in attendance, allowing the park to focus on important upkeep items such as parking lot improvements and more restrooms.

The park is also planning to restore the town's historic Santa statue in the next year. It was dedicated in 1935.

Source: Holiday World & Splashin Safari & Inside INdiana Business

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=43810

Christmas Lake Village has open houses the first Sunday of the month. For this April, 2010 we fall on Easter. Therefore, the community is moving their open house Sunday for April to April 11 from 12:00 - 4:00 CST. If you have any questions or would like a list of homes that will be open, please feel free to contact me at my email or call me at (812) 686-3268.

The market is picking up here the past few weeks. Come check us out before the tax credit ends April 30th! There are plenty of great deals out there for the consumer. Call or visit my website for more information at www.gochristmaslakevillage.com.