CLEVELAND — Santa and his elves have a permanent home at Castle Noel in Medina, the largest year round indoor Christmas entertainment attraction in the country; lead by owner Mark Klaus since 2013.

What You Need To Know

  • While most Americans are taking down Christmas decorations, one northeast Ohio business is still spreading the holiday cheer

  • Castle Noel is opening its doors hundreds of people impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Helene, organizing an all-expense-paid weekend full of Christmas activities

  • Tens of thousands of North Carolinians are still rebuilding their homes and businesses following Hurricane Helene’s impact last fall, which left many residents without access to water and electricity and roads and bridges

“We feature the largest privately held collection of Christmas movie props in the world. Really cool stuff you've seen in the movies,” Klaus said. “You see, Cousin Eddie's motorhome, to Will Ferrell’s elf costume. We get to ride down the slide just like Ralphie, at the end. It's incredible.”

This year, Klaus and his team are welcoming 200 North Carolinians who are recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. Government officials report nearly $60 million in damages to communities across the state, which could take several years to full rebuild. Klaus said they’re also inviting Peter O’Leary, mayor of Chimney Rock, a small North Carolina town that was nearly wiped out by the disaster.

“One of our families rode their house 400 yards down the river before they got off, and held on to a barbed wire fence,” Klaus said. “I mean, what these people have suffered is just incredible. And we just wanted to give them a weekend of pure escape.”

Visitors get a chance to tour the castle, do down the iconic Christmas story slide and catch the city’s annual Christmas fireworks show and parade, which is typically held in November. Klaus said they’re collaborating with the city of Medina and other community organizations to keep downtown merry and bright to welcome their guests from the south.

“The people in Medina kind of expanded their Christmas celebrations, which is really special, and there’s still Christmas lights up. I know that they’re generally starting to take things down, but they waited for us to come, and I think that’s especially special,” Mary Jaeger-Gale said.

Jaeger-Gale and her husband Steve Gale made the trip up from North Carolina, and they said it’s been an experience they will never forget.

“I didn’t know what to expect, [but] as soon as we got on the bus with our tour guide, Carol, we knew we’re in for a good time,” Gale said. “It’s been a fabulous tour, absolutely fabulous.”

In the end, Klaus said it’s about lending a helping hand to those in need, and this year is just the beginning.

“I want to just give a great big northeast Ohio hug to these families,” Klaus said. “So far it has beyond what I’ve hoped for and I just hope we can do this every year for some group that has the same kinds of circumstances.”