Santa & Mrs. Claus needed a permanent place to hang their Hat! Thus the Santa Claus Park became a reality for Belmond, IA The Belmond Santa House has been a treasured tradition that was started over 13 years ago by Moo & Jan Meints. It began because of their love of not only Belmond, but also of the children. They would open their home for 6 weeks out of the year to thousands of Children and their families so they could come and tour through Santa's House grab a cookiea and of course see Santa & Mrs. Claus. After Moo and Jan (Santa & Mrs. Claus) sold their business, the Santa House was part of the package thus leaving Santa & Mrs. Claus without a place to hang their hat! A committe was then formed, and became a division of the Belmond Area Arts Council. Administered by the Belmond Area Chamber of Commerce and the Santa House Committee.         Our goal was to not only get a "permanent" location built on a vacated lot for the Santa House but to also have a place for the community and organizations that could be used year round for a minimal fee! It also adds an additional tourist attraction to Belmond! So... after much sweat, hard work, and fund raising less than a year later we opened our New "Permanent" Santa House Doors on the Friday after Thanksgiving of 2002. Santa serves as the Grand Marshall of Belmond's lighted parade, then heads to the house as hundreds of eager little children await his arrival. Throughout the 6 weeks prior to Christmas every Friday night from 6 to 8p.m. and Saturdays from 3 to 5p.m. he hears the requests of the children. All who enter the Santa House are encouraged to sign the "LIST" that has been running for the past 13 years! Each year the house changes it decorations, using a different theme for the main tree, the pleasant Progressors 4-H club decorates the house inside and out, they are also elves on Fridays and Saturdays and provide cookies along with Mary Ellens cookie dungeon for all who come through. Each child is given a goodie bag from Santa, the bags are decorated by the RSVP members.   Young and Old make the "Santa House" a Holiday Tradition we hope you will to! Through Teamwork, we were able to build this Dream and continue a Christmas Tradition all because ...We Believed!   Santa & Mrs. Claus needed a permanent place to hang their Hat! The Belmond Santa House has been a treasured tradition.     Letters for the North Pole!