Santa Arrives at The World's Largest Children's Museum in a Dallara IndyCar

A Dallara IndyCar delivered Santa to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis in record time! "We certainly share Santa's sense of urgency in meeting with all the good little girls and boys this season and we are honored that he made it a priority to race in to The Children's Museum so early this year," said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. "There is no where else I would rather be on the day after Thanksgiving!"

Vroom vroom! Black Friday became Fast Friday in the Racing Capital of the World November 23, 2012 as Santa traded in his sleigh for a slick new Dallara IndyCar. It was all part of the plan to whisk Mr. Claus to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis in record time before the holidays.

It started with a pre-dawn Pit Stop at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Indiana. There, elves helped Kris Kringle check his list twice (as well as the tires). Race car driver Logan Gomez (Guinness World record holder for closest race car finish ever) took the wheel as Santa climbed in back of the two-seater. Then it was pedal to the metal to race to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis to open up Jolly Days Winter Wonderland – a special holiday exhibit.

Instead of reindeer, Santa was led into town by a pack of 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe Safety Cars and a police escort. His speedy driver pulled up to the museum at 9 a.m. And so the excitement of Santa's Big Arrival and Jolly Days revved up the crowd at The Children's Museum. Santa's big adventure continued with a traditional dash down the giant Yule Slide.

"HO HO HO – what a way to go," said the jolly old soul with a twinkle in his eye. "I hope to see lots of good little girls and boys at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis this year. It is an extraordinary place for families to create traditions and memories and my favorite place for the old to be young again."

Santa and his elves will join Jingles the Jolly Bear through January 6, 2013 for Jolly Days Winter Wonderland. There, visitors enjoy skating in socks on an indoor "pond," climbing and sliding on the Snow Castle, "ice" fishing, and pretend-baking holiday goodies in the Tradition Kitchen with Mrs. Claus. Other holiday treats include Season of Light! – a special journey through the winter holidays in Space Quest Planetarium to discover many cultural celebrations and the interactive musical The Magic Snowman.

While at the museum, families are invited to check out Hot Wheels For Real!™ and explore discoveries and other cultures in National Geographic Treasures of the Earth as well as Take Me There Egypt.

There is a special bargain for families on Christmas Eve with free admission while the museum is open for holiday hours from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It is the perfect time for the little ones to get in their last minute requests and pictures with Santa himself.

Jolly Days is presented by Fifth Third Bank and supported by Barnes & Thornburg LLP and Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent.

The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary family learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.

The Dallara IndyCar Factory is an interactive facility where the public can learn how IndyCars are designed and built! Everyone can have the opportunity to see and take photos with IndyCar show Cars, and even take a ride around town in a street legal two-seater IndyCar! For more information about the Dallara IndyCar Factory, visit www.indycarfactory.com.

SOURCE The Children's Museum of Indianapolis