Spreading some Christmas joy with Santa Holden and his sleigh
It’s become an annual tradition for Holden Whall to don his Santa suit and become Santa’s helper, taking a ride in his sleigh and giving a good Ho Ho Ho to all the Petersfield residents who come out to see his parade in Petersfield. This year, the parade, which will take place on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m., will be better than ever as Holden is going to be joined by the Whiskey Ditch Relic Riders as well, as any other residents who want to take part, making this the biggest parade yet.
Holden is a young man with autism who loves Christmas and spreading holiday cheer.
“It was my dream,” said Holden.
It was during COVID, when holiday activities were kept to a minimum for safety, that he and his parents, Holly and Dennis Whall, decided to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming Santa’s helper and bringing joy to his community.
“During COVID, all of a sudden, we had all this extra time, and we thought, ‘Well, this is the year. We’re going to do it.’ Said Holly.
The family had been looking for a sleigh for Holden to ride in so that he could truly embody the spirit of the big man himself, and everything aligned.
“We found the sleigh. It was in Minneapolis, and we had to make arrangements. We bought that sleigh. The guy had just fixed it up three weeks before. He had refurbished it so that it looked like a Santa sleigh. It’s red and white, and it’s a little cutter, and we tow it behind our red SkiDoo,” said Holly.
After the sleigh was shipped over, Holden purchased a suit to match, and his mom put a notice up on Facebook that they would be driving on Petersfield’s Netley Creek. She hoped that people would come out in their little groups to keep safe, and would give Holden a wave as he travelled along.
“There were hundreds of people out there waiting for Santa Holden, and they had Santa hats on. They brought their kids. They brought their dogs. They were clapping and cheering,” said Holly.
The community has supported the parade ever since, and Holden has become permanently known as Santa Holden. It’s become a mostly annual event, with them only missing one year because the ice wasn’t frozen enough.
“We start at the Train Bridge on Netley Creek, and we go very slowly down the creek. There’s a path, and we go to Chesley’s Campers. We cross the creek to the south side, and we come back on the south side of the creek, back to the Train Bridge,” said Holly.
She explained that it means so much that the community comes out to support Holden’s dream every year.
“We have the best community that a person could dream of. They all knew for years that Holden loves Santa from the Christmas Concerts at William S to, I mean, he would be singing on the school bus in May, and he would be singing Christmas carols. So, everybody knows that this has been his passion. And, when we asked our community to come out and support him, they came out by the hundreds to support,” she said.
In order to show how much she appreciates the community, Holly has also written up Holden’s story and nominated Petersfield for the Canada’s Kindest Community Competition, which is being run by Coca-Cola. If they win the grand prize, they hope to use it to give back to the community.
“We feel that this is a very unique, special story, and he brings the joy of Christmas to everybody he meets,” said Holly.
The parade has only gotten more support over the years, with about 12 people joining Holden last year, dressing up as the Grinch, riding snowmobiles and making the parade more magical. This year, the Whiskey Ditch Relic Riders, who drive some pretty cool classic snowmobiles, will be making the parade even bigger.
“I can’t stress it enough, it’s something else. It’s the true spirit of Christmas, and it’s very heartwarming. We’re very proud of Holden and how happy he makes everybody,” said Holly.
For Holden’s part, he’s been happy to be part of spreading some cheer in Petersfield.
“(The first year) was really cool. (I wanted to do it) every year and next year and next year and next year,” he said.
He explained that his passion for Christmas comes from it being a happy time of year when families get together.
And this event is an excellent excuse for residents to bring their friends and families together to see the parade.
Holly wants residents to know that the parade is a very slow one up and down the creek, and if they want to join in, they can meet up at the Train Bridge at 2:45 p.m.
For people who want to enjoy the parade as it goes by, just head out to the parade route at 3 p.m. You don’t have to be from Petersfield to attend. Anyone who wants some small community cheer is welcome.
The parade will be on as long as the weather cooperates.
Holly hopes people stop by for the fun.
“Bring your Santa hat. Bring your Timmies with your hot chocolate, and come on down and just experience Christmas spirit at its finest,” she said.
For his part, Holden would like to wish, “Merry Christmas to everybody.”
