Santa World

Open November 19 through December 30, 2005.

Located at 24th and Kansas Street, Great Bend, Ks.

Open noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Groups may call 620-792-2401 for appointments.

Admission is $1.00 per person. Children under 6 are free with a paid adult.

For more information call: 620-792-2750

Santa World is a project of Holiday Spirit, Downtown Development, and the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau.

More information about Loretta Miller and LKM Originals.

Scotland - The Abbot of Unreason was elected during the end of the year festival to lead in frolicking festivities.

Africa - Father Christmas appears from the jungle to visit Christian families in the African Republic of Ghana.

Russia - Grandfather Frost travels from house to house bringing gifts on the non-religious holiday of New Year's. He often appears in bishop's robes.

USA - This Victorian Santa is regal in his burgundy velvet robes. Santa was first introduced to the United States by the Pennsylvania Dutch who called him Kris Kringle.

France - Pere Noel left gifts in wooden shoes left out by good children. His little companion, Pere Fouchette, left switches for the bad children.

German - Germany celebrates St. Nicholas Day on December 5 and the holiday season begins.

Latin America - Old Man Christmas or Viejo Pascero is a central figure in the Latin Christmas celebration.

Poland - Star Man visits Polish homes after Christmas Eve supper, bringing small gifts and cookies for children.

Middle East - The Holy Man is an ancient king who bears gifts.

Ireland - St. Stephen is honored by the Irish on December 26. Boys go door to door singing for pennies, carrying symbolic wrens made of straw.

Italy - La Befana comes down the chimney with gifts and firewood on Epiphany Eve, January 5. She carries a hand bell and waves a cane to warn bad children.

China - Christmas Old Man (Dun Che Lao Ren) comes during the Holy Birth Festival (Sheng Dan Jieh). He fills stockings with gifts from his wicker basket.