Santa on the River delights for 61st year. Here's the story behind the floating display.
Neither cold, rain, sleet nor wind can prevent this tradition in Niles. He appears every year on the mighty St. Joseph River. He is our jolly little elf in the red suit. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and he is making his stop on the river.
Santa on the River is completing his 61st year.
Santa is on his sleigh with five reindeers and a Christmas tree on the St. Joseph River, near the Grant Street Bridge. The site is directly in line with Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles. It is slightly southwest of greater downtown Niles.
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The lights on Santa’s sleigh come on and off with the streetlights. The anchored pontoon boat is put into the river the weekend before Thanksgiving and comes out the weekend after the New Year’s holiday. The best place to observe the Santa scene is a hospital parking lot on the southeast side of the building.
There is a story that goes with the location. Hold onto that thought.
Mike Peters, Larry Pickles and a whole list of friends have kept this tradition alive. “You would think after 61 years we would be smarter” about doing this, Mike said. Contrary to what he says, they have a system to get Santa anchored in, floating and illuminated. It all works well despite the river depth, debris and weather.
Mike said it all began with his father, Roy Peters, a florist from East Main Gardens in Niles. “He was delivering flowers and thought it would be great to do something for the children in the pediatric unit that looked out on the river.” The hospital was known as Pawating at the time.
Roy and his friends Hank Hanson, Pete Williams and Willie Huss came up with the plan for a boat and a tree, Mike said. That was 1962.
Larry said the four original planners are like Niles' version of the “Four Horsemen, or maybe four dedicated elves. We continue this in honor of them.”
The four friends kept it up, changed it up a bit by adding Santa and passed it down to another group of friends. Larry and Mike have known each other since their school days and baseball teams.
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The pontoon is put in the water downstream and is anchored near the hospital. It is secured from the Grant Street bridge by cables. The cables and the electric line are kept above the waterline by barrels. The location is perfect for a quick look from the bridge.
Larry said if you drive a big SUV, you’ll see Santa even better from the bridge.
There are always safety concerns. Larry said the volunteers on the bridge who roll out the cables and roll them back have a tough job because of the extra care needed when working in traffic.
It is a dedicated group out there in November. They are still dedicated in January, but it may be a smaller group — depending on the weather, Mike said. “Now, there is a third generation working on it with my two sons, Mike Jr. and Matt.”
The able and helpful volunteers are: Dale Peeples, Mike Peters Jr., Matt Peters, Rob Clingerman, Doug McLeod, Dan Etzcorn, Mike Wheeler, Erica Pickles, Albert Mais, Nick Etzcorn, Jared Owens, Dave Matiford, Brad Connors, Darrell Frerich, Don Hughes, Gary Bates, Chris Williams, K & G Marina, Niles Chemical Paint, Schrader Manufacturing, Jerry French and Scott Roberts. Plus, the best name for a winter volunteer – Jack Frost.
“We do this for all the smiles we get," Mike said. "We have a third generation coming out now to see Santa. We see this continuing for years to come. I see it going for another 60.”
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In honor of the season, how about "What is your favorite and least favorite holiday song?" from a few people in the area?
Marvin Curtis, retired dean of the Raclin School of the Arts, composer and community leader:
“My favorite is ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ sung by the late Luther Vandross. It captures the spirit of the ancient hymn in a very modern way with an emphasis on the African American musical experience. My least favorite is 'Santa Baby' … not quite my style.”
Stephen and Mary Merriman, owners of Merrimans’ Playhouse in South Bend:
Mary said, “My favorite may be 'Ave Maria' as a song played around the holidays, although it is not a carol. As far as holiday carols, I love all the Ella Fitzgerald versions as my favorites. I don’t really care for 'Jingle Bells.'”
Stephen said he is fond of Vince Guaraldi and the music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Least favorite — nothing came to mind. “‘Jingle Bells’ is overdone.”
Jeff Rea, president and CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce:
His favorite is “Silent Night.” “From the time I was a little kid, there still is no better moment than at the end of the midnight service at my church on Christmas Eve when all the lights go down, the candles get lit, and the whole congregation sings 'Silent Night.'”
Modern song is “Wrap Me Up” by Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor. The least — “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."
Bryan Barr, local pianist and performer:
He said his favorite is “Merry Christmas, Darling” by the Carpenters. The least is about Grandma and her encounter with reindeer.
Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: St. Joseph River in Niles lit up by floating Santa Claus
