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Nestled in the Muskoka Highlands of northern Ontario is a small village that delights both the young and young at heart. It is a village where Christmas continues through the summer months. It is Santa’s Village, located in beautiful Bracebridge, Ontario.
In 1955, a group of locals from Bracebridge established Santa’s Village as a tourist attraction. They felt Santa needed a summer home in cottage country. Here, he could relax in the warm sun and watch deer graze on the green hillsides. Since Bracebridge is located half way between the North Pole and the Equator, it seemed like a perfect spot. Santa immediately took up residence.
After looking the area over, Santa instructed his elves, who happen to be environmentally friendly, to create an area where visitors could learn about wetlands, plants and other wildlife. The elves thought this a great idea. They established Environments Education Area, where tourists discover why wetland conservation is so important to Planet Earth.
Santa further instructed the elves to build a village around his cottage so he would be able to invite people to experience the wonder of Christmas during the summer months. The elves, under Santa's supervision, built an amusement park with rides, an amphitheater and concession booths. The village was erected in natural woodland on the shores of a lake.
Santa’s Village has plenty of European Fallow Deer. These animals are nothing like the reindeer that pull Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. Those animals are large northern reindeer. They would not be comfortable in the warm climate of Bracebridge, so Santa leaves them at the North Pole where the climate is more to their liking.
Fallow Deer love the warm climate of Muskoka. They are gentle creatures and love visitors to feed them. Their yellow coats are spotted with white spots even after they mature. Fawns are born in spring or early summer. The does often hide their fawns in bushes or behind rocks when she comes to greet visitors. Keep your eyes open and you may spot one of the adorable creatures.
Santa also has sheep and goats at the village. Sheep are timid and wear a very thick coat of wool. After young are born in May or June, the sheep are sheared. The wool is then cleaned and processed. Warm clothing such as hats, mitts, scarves and sweaters are made from the wool for warm winter clothing.
Goats are members of the sheep family. Both animals chew their cud and have hollow horns. Goats love to eat and can often be seen climbing on the rocks. There is corn available to feed the animals. Please refrain from feeding them “people food,” especially ice cream. “People food” is not good for the health of the animals.
Admission to Sportland is free. You pay as you go. Slow pitch and fast ball are available at five batting cages.
If golf is your game, stop by Mister Rudolph’s Birdies and Bogies. Here you can play 18 championship holes of dips and curves down beautifully maintained fairways.
Bring along your in-line skates with safety gear or rent equipment at Rudy’s Rollers. You’ll have a great time on the roller trail, or is you’re just learning to skate, there is a novice rink.
If your family includes racing fans of any age, they will want to take the supreme driving challenge in a grand prix racer. The track is a quarter mile of hairpin turns, underpasses, overpasses, turns and curves.
Back at the village, you can make a craft to take home at Santa’s Craft Workshop or cruise down the beautiful Muskoka River on the Kris Kringle River Boat. Bring along bathing suits for the kids. Their cries of delight will echo around the village as they romp on an interactive pad in Santa’s Splash Zone.
If roller coasters thrill you, be sure to take a spine tingling ride on Rudolph’s Sleigh Ride Roller Coaster. If you enjoy calmer experiences, take a ride on the Vintage merry-go-round or enjoy the view from the Christmas Ball Ferris Wheel. For a more tranquil ride, enjoy lemonade lagoon in Santa’s paddleboats. The picturesque scenery will bring a sense of peace to the day.
There are many other things to see and do at Santa’s Village. Browse through the gift shops to pickup T-shirts, souvenirs and Christmas ornaments.
The visit wouldn’t be complete without stopping for a visit with Santa himself. He is always on hand to greet youngsters and adults. He is a jolly old fellow and assures that your stay at Santa’s Village is a pleasant one.
Need a place to stay while exploring the village and the area around Bracebridge? Camp at Whispering Pines Campground on the banks of the lovely Muskoka River. $99.00 Canadian includes two nights camping, admission for two days to Santa’s Village (4 people) water and 15 amp electricity. The General Store has a full line of products and will supply your every need.
If you have other accommodation, Santa’s Village is open seven days a week from mid-June to Labor Day (1st weekend in September in Canada) from 10am to 6pm. Sportsland is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm EST.
Children under two are admitted free to Santa’s Village. 2 to 4 years and Seniors $11.95 plus tax. Those 5 years to adult pay $16.95 plus tax.
For more information, contact Santa’s Village.
Santa’s Village
PO Box 398
Bracebridge, ON
Canada PIL IT7
Phone: 705 645-2512
Fax: 705 645-9791
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