Santa made an early stop in Northwest Indiana this afternoon, as the jolly old elf himself stopped by the Harley-Davidson shop of Michigan City for their annual photos with Santa event. The long-running tradition saw families come from all across the area, who were met with warm greetings and genuine smiles from staff.
“This is one of my most favorite events of the year,” said Tee Bettelyoun, motor clothes manager for the Harley-Davidson Shop of Michigan City. “We see so many of the same families who come back year after year to visit with Santa and snap their photos here. It’s just such a sweet, wholesome feeling, seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces.”
“I even like the ones who cry (when they see Santa). It’s so sweet, so precious, and innocent. It’s just one of my favorite things, to see everyone here, so happy and smiling,” said Bettelyoun, who asked Santa for a little something for herself this holiday season.
“I’d really like a vacation… somewhere warm.”
Shannon and Austin Carpenter, who recently moved to the area from central Kentucky, brought their 16-month-old daughter Lena up to the shop to have her photo taken with Santa.
“We didn’t really have the chance to get Lena’s photo with Santa last year, so we decided to come do that here today,” said the Carpenters.
Samantha and Radar Cartwright of New Carlisle also were at the shop, along with their one-year-old son, Maddox.
“He did pretty good,” said Samantha. “We dressed him up in his little Harley shirt and matching Harley socks and everything.”
Many of the little ones also dressed for the occasion, with many of the children wearing bright green leggings, candy-cane shirts and ribbons and bows in their hair. Some food and refreshments were offered in the service area as Santa handed out candy canes to each and every visitor who stopped by for their visit.
Santa rides a Harley himself, in fact.
“I ride a 2011 Electra Glide,” said jolly old Saint Nick. “I only use the sleigh for business purposes, on December 24 and 25. The rest of the year, I’m on my Harley. The sleigh is mostly a write-off for tax purposes.”
“I love coming down and visiting with folks right before the holidays. Especially here at our local Harley-Davidson shops. They really have the Christmas spirit here, and they keep it in their hearts all year long.”
For more information about the Harley-Davidson Shop of Michigan City, check them out online at https://www.hdmichigancity.com/
