Santa is Coming

Santa is coming back to Hualapai Mountain Park - and this year he is staying longer.      

“We held this last year on one day only and we were amazed at the number of people who came to the park,” Mohave County Parks Administrator Shawn Blackburn said. “It was so popular that we expanded it from a single day to a four-day event. Last year taught us a lot and we planned an expanded event so everything will run smoothly.”

Visitors will pay the standard one-day admission fee of $5 per vehicle, “or they can show their annual pass at the gate,” he said. “Hay rides around the park, hot cocoa and marshmallow roasting will be free. Decorations and displays will make visitors believe they have arrived at Santa’s North Pole. And, most importantly, Santa will be there to visit with the children and pose for pictures.”

Visiting with Santa is free and parents can take their own photos of their children with the jolly old elf if they like.

“However, a Portrait Palace photographer will be there to take pictures of children with Santa if they are requested,” Blackburn said. “They will have a computer screen available on which to view the pictures and, if requested, 5-by-7-inch color photos will be printed out on the spot at $5 each. Santa will also give away Teddy bears to the first 50 children to visit with him on each of the four event days.”        

The free cocoa and marshmallows didn’t quite cut it last year.

“We had quite a few hungry people on hand,” he said. “So this year, Porky’s BBQ will be at the event to sell barbecue sandwiches, pulled port, smoked barbecue - basically good hot food. Porky’s has been at a variety of local events, including the county fair. One of the reasons I asked Porky’s to be there is that the establishment is on the County Health website having an excellent rating.”        

Although all activities will take place from 2 until 6 p.m. December 12, 13, 19 and 20, “the decorations and displays can be viewed any day from December 12 through January 2,” Blackburn said. “The park will remain open for all regular activities including hiking, camping and  cabin rentals. And, weather permitting, we hope to have sledding, snowball throwing and snowman making going on. ”

The park is located at 6250 Hualapai Mountain Road. For more information, call 928-757-0915 or visit www.mcparks.com.

“Our parks are for the people,” Blackburn said. “We are just trying to make things a little nicer for the Christmas season.”

Date and Time : Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 2 until 6 pm.

Venue : Hualapai Mountain Park is located at 6250 Hualapai Mountain Road.