Says he brings his fishing pole in case he has time to visit Lake Erie
PORT CLINTON – Of all the places in the world Santa could have chosen to visit on Saturday, he decided to fly his sleigh to Port Clinton. He spent time at the Santa House that the nice people of Port Clinton placed at Adams Street Park and talked with local children who told him what they wanted for Christmas.
“Port Clinton is the best place to be,” Santa said. “It’s almost halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Don’t tell Mrs. Claus, but sometimes I bring my fishing pole with me.”
Santa’s heavy red coat and thick beard make Port Clinton in winter a perfect place to visit.
“It’s not too hot here. With this big beard, I like the cooler climates,” he said.
Santa was very excited about visiting with the children who live in Port Clinton. He’s been keeping track of who has been good, and his good list is very long.
“There are a lot of good little boys and girls in this community,” Santa said.
Santa won’t bring his sleigh and toys to children’s homes until they’re fast asleep on Christmas, but if those children keep an eye out, they might just spot Santa next summer when he comes to Port Clinton to fish for perch and walleye in Lake Erie.
“The fishing in the summertime is better than the fishing in the wintertime,” Santa said.
When he comes, he’ll leave his reindeer at the North Pole, where his elves will feed them and love on them while Santa is gone. But Mrs. Claus often travels to Port Clinton with him for a little summer getaway.
“Mrs. Claus likes to go downtown in the summer and shop at the stores and listen to the music at the M.O.M. stage,” Santa said.
Port Clinton Mayor Mike Snider was very happy that Santa chose to visit Port Clinton on Saturday.
The city of Port Clinton and the Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce worked together to plan Santa’s visit. It was the third time Santa came to town in the last month, although he had to leave a little early on Dec. 11 because high winds were blowing the curl out of Mrs. Claus’ hair.
Snider said Santa was really happy that Port Clinton found a permanent site for the Santa House this year.
“The Santa House has been around a long time,” Snider said. “I remember seeing photos of it in the ’50s.”
Snider said that, through the years, the Santa House sat at different locations around the city during the holiday season, including on the Ottawa County Courthouse lawn at one time. This year, the city decided to give it a new home at Adams Park.
“We decided to put it here to make a permanent space for Santa’s vacation home,” Snider said. “A couple community members donated funds for light, decorations, and a heater.”
Santa will make one more visit to Port Clinton this winter. On Christmas Eve, he’ll fly into town with his reindeer, deliver presents to area girls and boys, and, if there’s time, he’ll take a few minutes to dip his fishing pole in Lake Erie before heading to the next town.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
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