Santa Claus plans a return to Park Ridge

Metro Wire Staff

Santa Claus is planning his return to the village of Park Ridge.

Annual visits to village children by Santa have been a tradition in the village since 1940, when he rode in a horse-drawn sleigh and wore a $2.15 suit, hand-sewn for him by the Garden Club, the village’s auxiliary club for ladies.

In 1953, the village purchased a new fire truck, a vehicle that would continue carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus from house to house each December.

Village parents, or other family members, previously could sign up for the visits while visiting the village hall during the most recent election. The village is asking interested households to sign up via a request form here: Santa Claus visits Park Ridge.

The visits are only available to residents of Park Ridge.

The logistics of ensuring Santa safely visited each home on his list was previously overseen by the Park Ridge Fire Department. Although the Village Board disbanded the PRFD last June, the Trustees did agree to keep the tradition alive and tapped firefighters in Stevens Point to handle Santa’s visit.

Santa will visit homes on Dec. 12 from 6-8 p.m. Residents are asked to keep their porch lights on to help guide Santa’s way.

Registration forms are due by form by Dec. 5. The form, Santa Claus visits Park Ridge, can be returned to the Village Hall, 24 Crestwood Dr.