“The colder weather months are a great time of year to get outside and experience the wonders of the natural world. You don’t necessarily need Santa Claus and a giant elf to guide you, but it can’t hurt.” – Buddy the Elf
Buddy the Elf has been spreading Christmas cheer each holiday season ever since his classic motion picture debut two decades ago.
So, when he took time out of his busy North Pole schedule and sold-out performances at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre to join Santa in Russell Township, smiles filled The West Woods Nature Center.
Unseasonably mild temperatures greeted Geauga Park District’s Ho Ho Ho Hiking with Santa and Buddy the Elf event Dec. 9 as families filtered inside the community room for the first of two long waitlisted programs.
“Wow, I’m dressed for the North Pole and I’m sweating,” Buddy said.
But, nothing could melt the enthusiasm for 6-year-old Grady Nelson.
Nelson’s dad, Kevin, quickly shared a cherished memory — a phone video of his son watching “Elf” for the first time a few years back as a giggling toddler and said their family watched the film again in the morning before heading to the program.
Grady made his way into the big room, clenching his father’s hand, with siblings, Avery and Everett, and mom, Brittney, in tow. He was bearing a present for Buddy — a plastic bag of candy corn, known to be an Elf favorite.
“It’s one of the main Elf food groups,” Grady said, as he tilted his head back, reached up and gave Buddy his gift, quickly receiving a wide-eyed “thank you” from Buddy.
“Both Santa and Buddy are thrilled that these annual hikes are so popular every year,” GPD Chief Naturalist John Kolar, who plays Buddy the Elf, said. “It’s a long sleighride from the North Pole for Santa and a long walk for Buddy, so it makes us both very happy to have so many people attend these hikes.”
Buddy continued to greet people in between quick sips of maple syrup, as children looked out for Santa.
Allison Donovan, 4, said her git wish for Santa would be a surprise.
Donovan’s mom said her two girls had been looking around for Santa since they got there.
“As soon as Santa arrives, we’ll go on a (short) hike on level trails and look for signs of the season and nature’s presents,” Buddy said, adding afterward, they would come back inside where children would provide their Christmas wish lists to Santa and enjoy hot cocoa and coloring.
“We’ll have lots and lots of fun,” Buddy said.
Happy sounds filled the room as Santa stepped inside the room and delivered a hearty “Ho, Ho, Ho.”
“If your shoes don’t get a little bit dirty today, then we are not doing our job,” Buddy said, as the group began their short outside journey filled with jokes and nature facts.
“Buddy, where do all the frogs go this time of year?” Santa asked, aside a wetland area. “Where are they?”
“It’s like 60-degrees today,” Buddy replied. “Some frogs, turtles and amphibians might wake up on a day like today. In real winter, they go to the bottom of pond. They hibernate and stay sleeping all winter long.”
Melanie Benington, of Russell Township, said her family really enjoyed the experience.
“We frequent the park and enjoy the trail we walked on, and today was no exception. The hike and the activity after the hike put us in the Christmas spirit that we continued our day with more adventures to Chagrin Falls for the festivities there.”
Buddy and Santa love taking people outside to enjoy the spirit of the holidays in the great outdoors.
“There are so many natural gifts to be found along the beautiful trails of the West Woods during this time of year,” Buddy said. “Santa and Buddy love leading groups into the woods to see how many gifts can be found. The colder weather months are a great time of year to get outside and experience the wonders of the natural world. You don’t necessarily need Santa Clause and a giant elf to guide you, but it can’t hurt.”
Buddy scampered into a blanket of fallen leaves and hugged a small pine tree as the young hikers laughed and circled around.
A few moments later, they all paused near an overlook.
“Put your listening ears on,” Buddy said. “And listen for five seconds. Become a tree and put your roots in the ground. I hear little chickadees.”
Grady said it was fun to talk with Buddy about his favorite parts and quotes in “Elf,” then act out some of them with him.
“The best was singing with Buddy on our hike, ‘I’m in a forest and I’m singingggg,’
and giving him the candy corn,” Grady said.
His family hopes to make the event an annual family tradition.
“Santa, Buddy and the Geauga Park District staff do a great job bringing the magic of Christmas and nature into one event,” Kevin said. “We’re thankful for all the events GPD offers throughout the year that are fun and educational.”
