SantaLand Offers Christmas Cheer For Creighton Residents

When one thinks of the holiday season, they think snow, lights and cheer. All of that comes together every year in beautiful fashion in SantaLand. 

Since 1995, thousands of visitors have made the trip through SantaLand in Creighton's Bruce Park to admire the various displays and to visit Santa's Workshop. 

However, the popular Knox County attraction goes back another 10 years. Ernie and Sharon Christensen started the SantaLand attraction on their home farm in 1985 before opening Santa's Workshop in 1987. Ernie built the elves for the shop and acted as Santa while Sharon designed outfits for the elves and acted as Mrs. Claus. Eventually, the attraction grew too large for the Christensens to maintain themselves.

That's when the City of Creighton stepped in and brought the attraction to Bruce Park. Over the years, the attraction grew thanks to acquisitions from various area Christmas enthusiasts. Eventually, local clubs such as the Creighton FFA and FCCLA joined in to help decorate and expand the attraction. Now, the attraction lights up the whole park while visitors drive through to see the penguins on ice, the Grinch, the Night Before Christmas and various other displays set up by the Creighton community. Possibly the most popular attraction, however, is Santa's Workshop. 

Built in 1998 in it's current form, Santa's Workshop offers a chance for children to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and give their requests for their Christmas gifts. Members of the Creighton Chamber of Commerce sponsor refreshments at the workshop for visitors. The workshop now features 16 elves and a train that circles the elves while they work away in preparation for Christmas morning.

SantaLand is now open until December 31. It is in full operation from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Santa's Workshop is open each year from December 1 until December 23 from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m.