by Grady, age 9 from Santa Claus, Indiana, asks Santa about Holiday World, his hometown’s history, and small-town identity.
Dear Santa, my name is Grady, and I am nine years old. I live in Santa Claus, Indiana, where my grandpa says our whole town is named exactly what you would think, and the post office gets flooded with letters every December.
Dear Grady, a town with your very own name might be my favorite mailing address in the entire country, your grandpa picked a truly fitting hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is there a holiday world in Santa Claus, Indiana? My cousin says there is a whole theme park here but I have never actually been.
There is, Grady, Holiday World is a real theme park right in your town, one of the oldest theme parks in the entire country, first opened all the way back in 1946. Your cousin is right, and I think it is about time you paid it a visit yourself.
My grandpa says our town has had this name for a really long time, way before it became famous for the theme park. Is that true?
It is true, Grady, Santa Claus, Indiana has carried that name since the 1850s, long before any theme park arrived, and the town’s post office has handled Christmas mail from children all over the world ever since. It is one of the most dedicated little corners of Christmas spirit on my entire route.
My grandpa says small towns like ours sometimes build their whole identity and economy around one special thing. Is that true?
It is true, Grady, many small towns find their own special identity, whether that is a theme park, a festival, or simply a wonderful name, and build a community around celebrating it together. That kind of hometown pride, everyone pitching in to make something special, is really worth admiring.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Grady Miller
Santa Claus, Indiana
P.S. Will you finally take me to Holiday World this year?
I will see what I can arrange, Grady, though my December schedule is notoriously tight.
