Putney, Vermont: Santa's Land USA

While on a trip this summer in Vermont, I saw an old Vermont attractions billboard at Quechee Gorge. On it there was a weathered, barely legible "Santa's Land USA" logo. I remember my cousins going there and telling me about it when I was a kid. We found Santa's Land on your site and visited in November. It is much smaller than Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH but is a lot of fun, less expensive, and a little easier to get to. The whole place is kind of stuck in the '70s just like everyone else in Vermont, but that's what is great about it. The North Pole Village portion was cute and in good condition. You could really tell someone loved this place at one time, and now the new owners seem to be taking care of it once again.

The parking lot was fairly full when we arrived but petered out as the day grew colder. There were no long lines and mostly no lines at all. The Igloo Slide is refurbished, there is a new snack bar, and many features have new paint.

They have new white deer in Santa's Deer park but they were still a little skittish, running away from the kids trying to feed them. The train engineer said they feed them twice a day too (maybe they should try a little less feeding?). The donkeys behind the Nativity and the lamas and goats were very friendly.

The train engineer said Purple Plum Man's job is to watch over the parking lot. The igloo Houses are now the administration buildings. There is a big pink burlap-sack type slide, carousel, new train engine, and some old kiddie rides too. We laughed when my son complained the "Mushroom," a tea cup-type ride, was going too slow -- the attendant heard him and gave it a push to get it going faster! Also a great place to visit Santa. The line was only three deep and they let you take your own pictures in a spot reserved for parents, so you get a good angle.

I wanted to comment on the white foam blob. When I was in college (around 1970), I took a car full of gals and we went to Santa's Land. When I got married in 1973, my new hubby and I stopped at Santa's Land as part of our honeymoon trip to Vermont (we went paid our admission and went in.) I have taken my son there when he was a child and now, starting last year, I take my grandchildren.

I remember when the white foam blob was indeed an iceberg floating in the pond and I believe Rudolph was on it. Years later the iceberg was up near Santa's School and I believe Rudolph was still on it. Then they got separated.

On my 2003 visit, I found that except for some of the figures in the trees that needed a new coat of paint, I found Santa's Land to be loaded with fun things to do -- especially the slide near the railroad, the playground, and the carnival-type rides. It was great to see some of the same attractions and all the new additions (well, new since my last visit in around 1983 or so) We had a blast. It will be exciting to see any changes the new owners will make for our next visit to Santa's Land sometime this summer.

Santa's Land USA has recently been purchased (early May 2004) by seventh generation Vermonters and is in the process of being brought back to the glamor of its "heyday" when the Brewer family so lovingly cared for and nutured it for over thirty years. For train lovers, a brand new CP Huntington train will make its debut on Memorial Day weekend 2004. The entire park is getting a refreshing makeover. The deer herd and other animals are all on nutrious diets and well cared for. The candy store is anew with vibrant colors and the snack bar is a clean wholesome place for families to enjoy their visit. The gift shop is inviting and well stocked. The Brewer family, who still reside next door will open their horse center on Memorial Day weekend offering trail and wagon rides.

An update on the charmingly shabby Santa's Land. In an attempt to bestow some of this fading Roadside Americana onto the next generation, I took my five year old niece to this marvelously hokey attraction. Expecting the worst, I was pleased that most everything was operational, animals looked healthy and happy, and great fun was had by all in our party. If this funny little park does vanish, it wears a brave and defiant face. Buildings are freshly painted, the cute train chugs around the park, and Santa is eager to please. Let's all rally round something we can feel good about!

The Purple Plum Man has lost his left leg. A woman I spoke with in the gift shop (who said she's worked at Santa's Land since the 70s) told me that attendance has fallen off dramatically the last couple of years. The fact that I was able to spend a least five minutes talking to Santa, uninterrupted by wide-eyed children on a sunny Saturday afternoon, ought to be proof enough of that.