Sleigh rides aren`t what they used be. Old-timers recall picturesque winter wonderland scenes of reindeer pulling sleighs through snow-filled fields as riders sing ”Jingle Bells.”
Today`s urban sleigh rides are more likely to be on wheels than ski-like blades. Instead of an open field, most rides are on city streets, where the blades would be too easily destroyed, especially because snowfall so far this year has been low and area street departments seem poised to pounce on each individual snowflake.
But, Chicago winters being Chicago winters, you know what`s coming.
Still, Donner, Dasher, Blitzen, Rudolph and the gang no longer pull the sleighs. Horses now find employment hauling carolers, who are more likely to warble the theme from ”Gilligan`s Island” or ”The Beverly Hillbillies”
than a song of the season.
But there`s one sleigh ride tradition that hasn`t changed, and his name is Santa Claus. Santa is making more sleigh ride appearances this season than Andy Williams has had Christmas specials. Matt Stork, superintendent of public works for Glendale Heights, has also played the village`s Santa for eight years.
He says that he prepares for the gig by visiting toy stores and talking with preschool teachers. So far, his investigation points to the Ninja Turtles and Barbie (especially the new Totally Hair Barbie) as the most popular.
However, when asked about the purple dinosaur named Barney, Santa asked,
”Who?” Anyone with young kids knows that this Santa still has some research to do on hot toys.
Naturally, as Santa, Stork arrives at all his events from the North Pole. ”I take the sleigh,” he says. ”It`s faster than fighting city traffic. The problem is that the sleigh isn`t heated and the North Pole is pretty chilly-that`s why my cheeks are so rosy. And besides sharing their gift ideas with Santa, all the little boys and girls share their germs. Santa gets a cold every year.”
As Stork points out, there are no heaters on board sleighs. Linda Downey, assistant equestrian manager at Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton, recommends bundling up in layers. She adds, ”If there`s a secret to staying warm, it`s keeping your toes, fingers and the top of your head warm. And bring blankets, and perhaps something warm to drink.”
Sleigh rides generally aren`t as romantic as the fall hay rides. ”You have so much clothes on, you can hardly see who you`re with,” says Steve Vidmar, co-owner of Friendly Farms Ltd. in De Kalb.
However, you can hear who you`re with. Aside from TV theme songs, Vidmar says, the seasonal sing-a-long repertoire is limited to ”Jingle Bells” and
”Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and, if it happens to be snowing,
”Frosty the Snowman” and ”White Christmas.” ”Most people don`t know enough of the words to other Christmas songs,” he says.
Here`s a guide to some stables, communities and park districts offering sleigh rides, or urbanized versions on wheels. Reservations are recommended where noted. Santa is appearing where indicated.
Burbank: Burbank Winterfest at Newcastle Park Recreation Center, 8050 S. Newcastle St.; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Rides are 50 cents and include a meeting with Santa and Frosty the Snowman; 708-599-2070.
Chicago: Cook County Forest Preserve District 1993 Winter Festival at Jensen Slides, at Milwaukee and Devon Avenues; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 23. Rides are free; 312-261-8400.
De Kalb: Friendly Farms Ltd., Somonauk Road some 4 miles south of Illinois Highway 38. Day or evening rides by appointment only; $100 per ride for a wagon that holds up to 18 passengers. A camp fire after the ride is included; 815-756-7773.
Glendale Heights: Breakfast with Santa at 300 Civic Center Plaza; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Rides are $1 and include a meeting with Santa; there`s an extra $1.50 charge for juice, doughnuts and coffee; 708-260-6060.
Hillside: Community Christmas Party at the Eisenhower Community Center, 700 Speechly St.; 2 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Free rides include a meeting with Santa; 708-547-3900.
Itasca: Itasca Winterfest at the Arboretum, Irving Park Road at Catalpa Street; noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 31. Ride is $1; 708-773-2257.
Melrose Park: Community Christmas Party at Sharp Park, 1609 36th St.;
1-1:30 p.m. Saturday. Free rides include a meeting with Santa; 708-547-3900.
Mt. Prospect: River Trails Park District Winter Carnival at Woodland Trails Park, 1500 Euclid Ave.; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 23. Rides are free;
708-255-1200.
Oak Brook: Oak Brook Hills Hotel, 3500 Midwest Rd.; rides are $12.50, $6.50 children 3 to 11 years old and $2.50 under 3 years and include a breakfast and a meeting with Santa. Reservations are required, 708-850-5555.
Palos Park: Cook County Forest Preserve District 1993 Winter Festival at Swallow Cliff, Illinois Highway 83 just west of Mannheim Road. Rides are free; 312-261-8400.
Tinley Park: Forest View Farm, 167th and Lockwood Streets. Two-passenger drive-yourself rides with an escort are $25. Groups can arrange for sleigh rides than hold 4 to 18 passengers for $6 per person. Make appointments, 708-560-0306.
Wheaton: Danada Equestrian Center, Naperville Road 1 mile north of the East-West Tollway (Interstate Highway 88); noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 16, 17, 23, 24 and Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21. Rides are 50 cents or a donation of five empty aluminum cans for recycling. On all other days, rides for groups up to 25 people are available by appointment only for $100 per half hour; 708-790-4900.
