The Balloon Race is one of the many rides set to reopen at Santa’s Village Azoosment Park this weekend in East Dundee.
Christmas is coming early to East Dundee.
After being closed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa’s Village Azoosment Park will reopen Saturday in a return of the suburban icon that first opened in 1959. Even with capacity currently limited to 25%, it’s a breath of fresh air after a rough 2020.
“The hardest thing for us last year was watching restaurants and other businesses opening,” said Brian Wright, marketing director for Santa’s Village. “We kind of felt like we were last on the list.”
Wright said that while there were furloughs over the last year, much of the staff was able to remain by working on improvements to the facility. Ownership also started an offshoot company called SV Enterprises that concentrates on landscaping, snow removal and holiday light installation.
Some staff members returned late last summer when the Santa Springs water park opened for seven weeks, allowing officials to implement the safety protocols that will be in place this year.
Reservations are required so the park can monitor crowd size, although the system allows for season ticket holders to visit anytime without a reservation. Social distancing should be maintained and masks are required.
In the early 60’s our parents used to haul a station wagon full of kids to Santa’s Village and the Milk Pail “all the way” from Mount Prospect. A lot has changed except the excellent memories. Thanks for that!