Santa Clause Came to Town . . .

1000 Islands River Santa Festival Continues

It all started ten years ago, when Alexandria Bay resident Doug Tulloch began with $1000.00 from local sponsors and a $500.00 grant from Walmart to bring Santa Claus to the North Country. His first endeavor was aided by Evan Mills, NY, Walmart’s Darcy Clemons, who continues his support to this day. The 1000 Islands River Santa Festival immediately became a North Country tradition.

This year's River Santa

Fast forward to 2025, when Santa changed his destination. On December 7th, Santa arrived in the snow by Tow Boat US and escorted by the Last Chance Fire boat and the Emerald Empire Detachment volunteers all dressed as Star War characters.

Greeted by more than 400 children and their parents from many northern communities, ranging from Cape Vincent to Morristown (this year’s visitors included families from Syracuse and Rochester), Santa traveled from the Frink Park Pavilion to the Clayton Opera House.

Once ensconced in the Opera House, the kids (12 years and under) were treated to gifts, activities, food, drink, and holiday cheer. Each child received a gift and an opportunity to be photographed with Santa himself. Additional gifts bringing the total to 750 will be distributed to other organizations.

Why did Santa move to Clayton? Earlier in the year Doug Tulloch announced his desire to step down. Immediately Mary Zovistoski, President of the Clayton Rotary Club, took on the mantle. Sadly, she is not here to see the results, but incoming President Tom Neely. a Rotarian of 26 years, and Diane Leonard, First Vice President and in charge of Fund Raising and a brand-new member were available. Diane and her committee of 10 with Doug serving as an advisor went to work.

The results are impressive. They have more than 50 local business sponsors, led by North Star Sponsor FX Caprara and Sugar Plum Sponsor Lake Ontario Realty. The realty firm made a successful $2500.00 challenge grant and an anonymous donor added an additional $1000.00 to the challenge. Overall, the 1000 Islands River Santa Festival has raised in the tens of thousands of dollars (approaching $30,000) which will be distributed to local school Backpack programs and local food pantries.

The 1000 Islands River Santa Festival, whether in Alexandria Bay or Clayton, has become a heartwarming annual event that brings the holiday spirit to families along the St. Lawrence River. The Festival then, and now, is driven by a deep commitment to the community, operating as a 100% volunteer-run and donation funded charitable effort to ensure every dollar directly supports those in need. Fundraising is essential for this charitable event to succeed. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and donations are still welcome. Visit www.riversanta.com for details.

The Rotary Club

The Rotary Club’s history began in Chicago in 1905, when attorney Paul Harris founded the first club for professionals to exchange ideas and build friendships, naming it “Rotary” from their early practice of rotating meeting locations. Rotary grew into a global service organization with a commitment to humanitarian service with over a million members worldwide. Their motto is “Service Above Self” and the Rotary Wheel symbolizes the gears of fellowship and service that drives Rotary’s work.

The Clayton Rotary Club was founded in 1930 and soon will celebrate its 100 the anniversary. Its programs include scholarships to high school students, providing funds for hockey and figure skating, fund raisers such as AnchorCon, and international projects such as clean water wells in Central America. This year the club is looking for a new fund-raising project to take place next summer.

A main focus is giving back to the community, with a youth focus. To that end their former President Mary aided by the current one, Tom, established the Storybook Trail, 1.2 miles with book pages mounted on pedestals along the way for the enjoyment of children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles among the many.

For Doug, the Rotary Club, and all the thousands of volunteers, the spirit and the message remain the same: giving back to one’s community brings its own and many rewards. Bringing Christmas warmth and cheer to the children of the North Country is just one.

By Allison Burchell-Robinson

Allison Burchell-Robinson's great grandfather built a cottage on Wyoming Island in 1910, and five generations have followed. She spent her childhood summers in the River, on the River or by the River. Eventually, she and her husband moved to an island in Ivy Lea Group. She is happy to return every summer to enjoy, relax and rejuvenate in an area her son referred to as the most beautiful place in the world. Many will recognize Allison for her many years of service to the Thousand Islands Association TIA serving as President then Secretary/Treasurer, and until recently, editor of TIA's "River Talk". Allison joined the TI Life team this summer and you may see her contributions here.

Header photograph courtesy of Diane Leonard