Addy Winborg steadies two black Percheron horses on Tuesday Nov. 29,2022. The team will be used to pull visitors on wagon rides at the American West Heritage Center during the month of December. Chance Getz is the driver on the sleigh.
WELLSVILLE – America West Heritage Center (AWHC) is offering sleigh rides during the month of December. Chance Getz, the site farm manager, has been giving sleigh rides for some 13 years. Three years-ago when COVID hit the valley he started sleigh rides at AWHC and it has turned into an event people are clamoring to bring their families to.
The rides will take place on December 10, 17, 24, 26 and 3O from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Santa Clause will be visiting on Dec. 17, 22, and 23 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“When Hardware Ranch stopped doing their sleigh rides because of COVID we started doing them here,” Getz said. “We had everyone practice social distancing and it worked out great.”
The 10 to 15- minute ride takes participants to the livery stable and drops them off where they are served free hot chocolate and can watch a movie. Visitors can also visit the General Mercantile store and buy candy and gifts.
“We are operating full bore with four to five wagons that will be pulled by two draft horses each,” he said. “We have two wagons ADA compliant so we can take wheelchair-bound people for rides, too.”
AWC has enough teams of horses they can rest some of them while the others are pulling wagons.
When they are ready to leave a wagon will return them to the main office.
Sarah Gunnell, an AWHC administrative assistant said this is growing in popularity. The
“I think the sleigh rides are quickly a family a tradition,” Gunnell said. “Families from out of state come to enjoy the beautiful views and enjoy the day together.”
Santa Clause will be there so people can take photos of him with their kids.
“Santa will have a treat for each of the children,” she said. “We will also have our sledding hill open so those who brig their sleds can slide down the hill.”
Last year they had several hundred people come each day to have a wagon ride in the snow. The setting with the Wellsville mountains in the background is a wonderful place to be any time of year.
“We probably had 5,000 people total participate,” Gunnell said. “People should remember to bring their own sled if they want to go down our hill and dress for the cold. Plan on spending time in this beautiful setting.”
The AWHC working historical farm is located at 4025 S. Hwy 89-91, Wellsville.