Santa visits Shell Factory a final time before the big day
It was the last chance for children to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas when he made his final appearance of the year at the Shell Factory this weekend.
And since Santa began to appear there a couple years ago, it has become such a hit that it may be time for expansion next year.
On Saturday he was at his usual place, the Holiday House, where kids laid out their Christmas wants, gave candy canes to their loved ones and had their photos taken.
But on Sunday, with the weather gorgeous, he set up outside near the fire truck, though he took a pass on riding the zip line.
From there, it was back to the North Pole to supervise the filling of his sleigh.
Santa came down south to make sure which children of all ages were on his nice list and his naughty list. Not surprisingly, he said he didn’t find one boy or girl who was on his naughty list.
“On Monday all the elves put all the presents in the sleigh for those who are on the nice list and stay there,” Santa said. “The elves love putting presents in the sleigh, but don’t like taking any out.”
As the good boys and girls told Santa what they wanted for Christmas, parents and loved ones took their picture on their phones.
Holly Ross and her husband, Ryan, did that with her sons Bryce, 2, and Cooper, 3 months, and both were on their best behavior, not afraid of the jolly old elf as some can be at times.
“Cooper was very calm, which surprised me with him being 3 months old,” Holly said. “I’m happy he didn’t scream. Bryce was good, too. But I prepped him. I showed him videos.”
They said Santa would bring a swing set “that takes 18 hours to assemble,” according to dad, as Santa may bring the toys, but not the assembly.
What Santa has brought is increased business to the Holiday House. Hard to believe he didn’t come here until just a couple years ago, and since then has been a staple at the holiday and during the annual Christmas in July event.
“It’s great to have Santa here in North Fort Myers because people don’t have to travel far. They can come see Santa and spend the day here,” said Ann Sheridan, general manager at the Shell Factory. “Business always improves when Santa is here, but we are doing phenomenal.”
Sheridan said they expect to expand the Holiday House in 2016 in time for next Christmas.