Santa's Village History and Memories
Santa Claus
Over the years Santa's Village has had many a gentleman stand in for the Jolly Old Elf. Santa Claus arrived at Santa's Village on Memorial Day 1959.
Santa Jim
The Dundee Park’s original Santa on opening day in May of 1959 was Mr. James L. Combs. A native of Northern California, Combs trained to be Santa for the Dundee Village in 1958 at the Scotts Valley California's Santa’s Village under Santa trainer Carl Hansen. Jim Combs would be the Park’s official Santa until the end of the 1961 season.
Santa Eric
The role of Santa Claus was taken over by Eric John Lavoie in 1962. Better known as by his middle name John, Lavoie would be the Park’s main Santa until 1965. As Santa, Lavoie also appeared in three one reel-movies produced by Florida based producer, K. Gordon Murray. The featuretts were filmed at Santa’s Village Dundee in 1964 and 1965. The first movie, Santa Claus and His Helpers, was released in the fall of 1964 and the other two films, Santa’s Magic Kingdom and Santa’s Enchanted Village, were released in 1966.
Santa Don
In 1966, the duties of Santa Claus were taken over full-time by Don Goers. An Algonquin, Illinois native, Don came to Santa’s Village in 1959 as a maintenance man and helped out where ever he could. One day he and another Park employee were working on the Snowball ride when Santa walked up and asked if they knew of anyone who could help him out and give him a day off. Don spoke up and said yes I do…me! Goers was the main Santa from 1966 to 1979.
Santa Alan
Spring of 1980 saw Alan Payne assume the role of Santa Claus. Alan appeared in the title role until the end of the 1983 season. In 1984, Tom Ratcliff played the character for one season before he became Santa’s Village’s public relations director the following year. Instant Photo Corporation of America supplied Santa Claus in 1985 and 1986 when numerous men played the role.
Santa Phil
Phillip L. Wenz‘s 20 year association with Santa’s Village came through a contract with Instant Photo Corporation of America. Wenz first appeared as Santa at the Park in 1986. In 1989 he formed his own company and was given the contract to be Santa from Santa’s Village.
Besides James L. Combs, Eric John Lavoie, Don Goers, Alan Payne, and Phillip L. Wenz others have donned the red suit to help with a season. These men include: Harold Chudd, Greg Salovachek, Bill Sadowski, Nick Christoforakis, Keith Strauss, Jeff Little and Shawn Conway.
