The Travel Channel is planning to feature attractions in Santa Claus. Its "Christmas Showdown" special, set to air next year, will spotlight a historic 22-foot Santa Claus statue and a fruitcake eating contest at Santa's Candy Castle. SANTA CLAUS, Ind. – The Travel Channel will film the famous town of Santa Claus, Indiana, during the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration next month, for a new special called "Christmas Showdown." While in town on Saturday, December 8, producers for the Travel Channel plan to visit the town's two original attractions - the Santa Claus statue and Santa's Candy Castle - which both opened in December of 1935. The historic 22-foot Santa Claus statue, which was recently restored, is part of the Santa Claus Museum & Village. The nearby Santa's Candy Castle will hos... 11/30/2012

It's a big weekend for a major southern Indina tourism business. Holiday World will open for it's 66th season Saturday, while Splashin' Safari waterpark will welcome visitors for 2012 starting next week. President Dan Koch says the parks have doubled attendance over the past 10 years, which he describes as "very good in the industry." Koch hopes the trend continues this year with the opening of the $9 million Mammoth water coaster. The largest single-ride investment in Holiday World’s history also sets a new size record: the world’s longest water coaster – Mammoth – opens in May. "We added our first water coaster in 2010; Wildebeest was a runaway hit,” says park president Dan Koch. “So we asked our designers for something even bigger. It’s so huge, we’re calling it Mammoth.” Located eas... 05/07/2012

Santa Claus a Finalist for "Most Fun" TownJune 9, 2011 (Santa Claus, Ind.) - The town of Santa Claus is one of 30 contenders in the Best of the Road contest sponsored by USA Today and Rand McNally. Competing with six other finalists in the category for "Most Fun," Santa Claus, Indiana was selected from over 600 locales.On June 23, five teams of travelers will journey from New York City to Los Angeles by July 15. Each team will visit six towns in an assigned category: most beautiful, most patriotic, friendliest, most fun, and best food, as well as points of interest en route.The teams will choose the number one town in each of their respective categories and the towns will be highlighted on the Rand McNally website and in the 2013 Rand McNally Road Atlas, as well as on USA Today's Travel... 06/16/2011

SPENCER CO., IN - Holiday World & Splashin' Safari will get some national airtime this summer. The park will be featured on the Travel Channel reality show, "Bert the Conqueror." The show's host, Bert Kreischer, is described as an "everyman" who travels the country, conquering extreme rides, sports and unusual competitions. Bert will visit Holiday World & Splashin' Safari on May 6 and 7 to try and "conquer" The Voyage roller coaster and Wildebeest water coaster, each voted the world's top rides of their kind. Park President Dan Koch said his mother is also planning an extra challenge for Bert. "We hear that Bert hollers like a little girl on roller coasters," says park president Dan Koch. "I hope that means he'll drown out my screams." The show's producers said Holiday World was the mos... 04/19/2011

The family that owns Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus has donated $25,000 to the Lincoln Amphitheatre in Spencer County. The gift is in memory of Will Koch, who passed away last year. His mother Pat says the family is encouraging others to donate with the hope of having the contribution double to jump start the amphitheatre's fund drive.   SANTA CLAUS, IND-----With Abraham Lincoln's birthday just around the corner, Holiday World's Koch family today issues a $25,000 challenge gift to Lincoln Amphitheatre in memory of Will Koch. "My oldest son was such an admirer of our sixteenth president," says Holiday World matriarch Pat Koch. "Part of Will's legacy is his dedication to seeing the story of Abraham Lincoln's Indiana roots shared in Lincoln Amphitheatre." Abraham Lincoln... 02/14/2011

I am asked consistently about the hot housing markets in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana. There is this idea the best time to sell is in the spring. When I tell people there are years we are just as busy at Christmas time as we are in the spring they are astounded. This year, home sales in Rockport, Indiana were extremely slow in October and November, but now December activity has really increased. So my advice when asked the best time to sell.......NOW!  12/02/2010

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari President Dan Koch says the parks have topped one-million in attendance for the fifth year in a row. The attraction in Santa Claus has wrapped up its 64th season by setting an attendance record with nearly 1.2 million guests. Holiday World has also announced former President Will Koch has been inducted into the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame. SANTA CLAUS, IND-----Holiday World finished its 64th season today by setting a new seasonal attendance record, up nearly 14 percent from the previous record, set last year. "This is the fifth year in a row we've topped one million in attendance," says park president Dan Koch. "We're very grateful to all the families who came to visit our parks." With a final count of 1,182,636 guests, Koch credits the seas... 10/11/2010

Officials at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus are reporting an increase in customers this year of approximately 13 percent. Public Relations Director Paula Werne says the jump can be mainly attributed to the debut of the park's new water coaster, Wildebeest. Holiday World has also announced plans for more than $5 million in improvements by next summer. That includes $1 million in parking lot improvements and additional restrooms. Werne says the decisions on what improvements should be made comes partly from customer feedback, along with the park's long-term planning process. She also says the debut of a major new ride usually leads to a two-year bump in attendance, allowing the park to focus on important upkeep items such as parking lot improvements and more restrooms. Th... 09/24/2010

Congratulations to Holiday World for their great achievement.   Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in southern Indiana has won six Golden Ticket Awards by Amusement Today magazine. In addition, late owner Will Koch is the second inductee into the magazine's Legends Series. Golden Tickets were presented to the Wildebeest water coaster for Best New Ride in a Water Park and Best Overall Water Park Ride, and the Voyage roller coaster as the top-ranked Wooden Coaster on the Planet for the fourth consecutive year. Holiday World also collected top awards for Cleanest Park and Friendliest Park. The new Wildebeest water coaster at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari was named the Best New Ride in a Water Park and Best Overall Water Park Ride at Saturday evening's Golden Ticket Awards, presented durin... 09/13/2010

Some say this market is tough, and in some areas of the country that saw prices fall dramatically, I know sales have dropped. But in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana, real estate and home sales have remained steady. I attribute most of this to the fact home prices in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana did not see the rediculous increases that were seen in other parts of the country. So if you are wondering if now is a good time to sell, I say absolutley!!! 08/24/2010

I just fired a client. I felt uneasy at first, but I now am relieved to have these clients out of my life. You know the type, call every week complaining about the photos, where the signs are placed, why the house has not been shown more (even though the listing price was $20,000 over my market analysis). The final straw came when the client listed three items I had promised them, three items I have never promised a client, three items I do not remember ever thinking. The client said she wished she had never listed with us, so I granted her wish. I have never done this before, but these people were a nightmare. 08/17/2010

We have homes for sale in both Rockport, Indiana and Spencer county, Indiana. If you are looking for homes or property anywhere in Southwestern Indiana, call the experts at Key Associates of Rockport, Indiana. Key Associates has sold homes in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana for 34 years. 08/04/2010

Homes for sale in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana have not seen the drop in price that has been felt in many other parts of the country. As a realtor in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana, I believe this is due to our strong local job market, as well as the leveling of prices throughout the previous decade. while we did see a modest rise in prices in homes in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana, we did not see the rediculous rise in price that was seen in other parts of the country. Therefore, real estate in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana did not see a bubble burst.  07/20/2010

As we all know, mortagage rates are at historic lows, with 30 year fixed rates at 4.5%. My question is this: when these rates rise, which they will surely will, even 1 point, will we see the market dip worse than what we see even now? Our real estate market in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana is average at the time, and I fear a slight rise in interest rates, even though those rates would historically be low, will worsen the market. Hopefully my fears are not warranted. 07/13/2010

I am getting different responses on when USDA will begin funding mortagages again. I believe Chase is currently funding USDA mortgages, but I think they are alone with this. In Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana real estate and home sales, USDA is far and away the most popular funding program. Anyone in the know? 07/01/2010

The president of Holiday World and Splashin' Safari is being remembered as a business visionary, caring boss and strong community supporter. Will Koch died suddenly Sunday of what his family believes to be complications from diabetes. Holiday World Spokeswoman Paula Werne says under Koch's leadership, the park went from annual attendance of 300,000 to more than one million.   Holiday World & Splashin' Safari owner and president, Will Koch, passed away Sunday evening at his home. "Will was not only our leader, he was our dear friend," says park spokesperson Paula Werne. "Our park family is in mourning for this sweet man who worked tirelessly to bring fun and happiness to so many families in the 20 years he ran the park." Koch died at home of what the family believes to be complications f... 06/15/2010

I read in Realtor Magazine about the launch of the Realtor's Property Resource. Has anyone began using this resource, and if so, what are the reviews? I have read the RPR will present more background information of properties than we have ever seen before. I sell homes in Rockport, Indiana and Spencer County, Indiana, which is a rural community, and wonder how extensive the information will be on homes for sale in this area. 06/15/2010

I have noticed a recent trend in buyers. Upon completion of the inspection, the buyer requests every item, no matter how small, to be repaired by the seller. I always explain to my buyers at the time of the offer that the seller is only responsible for repairing defects in the house, but I am not sure this is practiced by most realtors. I do not believe inadequate insulation qualifies as a defect in the house, an example I dealt with this week with a buyer. How do other realtors prep their buyers for inspection response? 06/08/2010

What does everyone think? Real estate in Spencer County, Indiana and Rockport, Indiana did not see the upswing in April that many markets did. This is a small conservative town, and most who were in position to use the tax credit had already done so by the April deadline. My biggest concern is getting USDA refunded. I am told that may happen today, but that is an educated guess at best. With the amounts the US is borrowing, how much longer can rates remain this low? 06/01/2010

One feature that we, as realtors, can help our clients is in the staging of their home. I truly believe that buyers "see what they see", and that a properly staged home can make the deal. I personally have sold 2 homes, and both times the home was on the market less than a week. But each time I went into great detail to stage the home, covering every room as well as the exterior of the home. I give sellers a "cheat sheet" with ideas how to properly stage a home, and always do a walk through when the home is listed. So if you are selling a home in the Rockport, Indiana or Spencer County, Indiana markets, contact Rob Schulte to help stage your home properly and get it SOLD! 05/25/2010