Rodeo, flea market among new uses for Santa's Village lot

The rundown remains of a once-popular East Dundee theme park that drew hundreds of thousands of visitors is blossoming into a haven for weekend bargain hunters and thrill seekers.

The site of the former Santa's Village at the southwest corner of Routes 25 and 72, is getting a new lease on life. With attempts to redevelop and sell the 38-acre property stalling, the village and property owners have developed a plan to bring attention and activity to it.

Instead of amusement rides and petting zoos, the Expo at Santa's Village offers family entertainment including rodeos and flea markets.

"The village and the ownership are looking for ways to bring some activity to the property and create awareness of the property as an attraction," Village Administrator Frank Koehler said. "This is not a long-term solution. In the long run we would love to see a permanent tenant there. But we are looking at what can we do until this market turns around."

So far, the 9-acre parking lot has been transformed into a rodeo ring and flea market. Those events in the last few weeks attracted about 3,500 people and generated about $1,000 in revenues from sales taxes and the village's amusement tax.

What's most important, Koehler said, is utilizing the vacant lot.

Other activities planned for the site include a circus, haunted trail and a Christkindl Market.

A two-day flea market is planned for Saturday and Sunday, while another rodeo is set for Saturday, Sept. 26.

"This is a great location and it is a shame to let 38 acres sit and grow weeds," said Charles Black, event organizer for Hoffman Estates-based Impact Business Solutions. "Being as wide open as it is makes it conducive to all kinds of events like markets, rodeos and circuses. We want to bring excitement and entertainment to the area."

The property owners say the recent and future events should drum up some interest in the site.

"We are being proactive and working with the village to bring as much life and activity as we can," said Patrick O'Connor, a managing member of SV East Dundee. "It is still early, but hopefully this ... activity is a harbinger of things to come."

Santa's Village closed in August 2006 due to financial difficulties after 46 years in East Dundee. Most of the attractions were auctioned off and plans to build a new Santa's Village at the Grand Bear Lodge in Utica, Ill., emerged in January 2007.