Hippopotamuses for Christmas

SANDUSKY — After 24 years, two recognizable creatures within the city's holiday display have names and new colors. Artist Shawn Fox, who is originally from Sandusky but lives in Parma now, recently gave the fiberglass hippos new life. Decades ago, the hippos were a popular attraction near the carousel at Cedar Point. Children liked to climb on them. Cedar Point donated the hippos to the city in 2001, and they were put into storage, according to a Register article from that year. At the time, Fox worked for the city's parks department. He had the idea to include them with the Christmas display within Washington Park. Fox painted one hippo blue and the other purple. They've been a tradition since then. "For almost a quarter of a century, these hippos have stood proudly in Sandusky's parks each holiday season, bringing joy, wonder and a touch of whimsy to children and adults alike," Fox said. "They've become part of our city's winter story: silent witnesses to countless family photos, bundled-up strolls and twinkling lights." The hippos were due for a fresh coat of paint, and, by coincidence, Fox was given the opportunity to paint them again. "It's been emotional being a part of their history, and now their future," he said. "I hope they last another 24 years." This time, Fox had assistance from his partner, Dan Dress. He said Dress was "a tremendous help" throughout the process, which included sanding, filling, priming and more. "Being a part of this was so cool," Dress added. Fox also wanted to honor the hippos' journey by giving them names and a story. He drew inspiration from the northern lights. "Each hippo has its own color, its own spirit, and I believe each carries a piece of Sandusky's heart," Fox said. Aurora includes shades of purple and pink. Nimbus has hues of green and yellow. Fox hopes that sharing the names and the story behind their colors will explain and celebrate not only the hippos themselves, but also the magic still to come. He's happy to see them downtown with their new look — they were installed in the park on Wednesday. "A lot of love went into them," he added. Sandusky recreation superintendent Jason Werling hopes the next generation of residents will be able to enjoy the hippos for the next 20 years. He said one of the first holiday photos of his oldest son was taken in the hippo's wide-open mouth nearly two decades ago. "Shawn Fox did an amazing job with the painting and storytelling of the newly named Aurora and Nimbus," Werling said. "The fresh painting was overdue and will look great with the freshly painted Cookie House and new garland for the large Santa and snowman in the park. We can't thank the Sandusky Community Celebration Council volunteers, our city staff and Shawn Fox enough for the work put in during the off-season between the holidays." Fox is planning to have some hippo merchandise available during the lighting ceremony. He said proceeds will go back to the city to help keep up with the Christmas decor. Sandusky's annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony takes place Friday, Nov. 28 with festivities beginning at 6 p.m. in Washington Park. Aurora & Nimbus: The Hippos of the Polar GlowBy Shawn Fox Long ago, before the first snowflake ever fell on Christmas Eve, the North Pole held a secret deeper than ice and older than stars — a glowing river of light called the Aurora Vein, pulsing with the world's dreams and wishes. One solstice night, the auroras surged with magic, and from that luminous flow emerged two beings — not born but woven from light and joy. Their forms took shape as hippos, mighty and gentle, their skin swirling with hues of emerald, violet, gold and sapphire. They were named Aurora and Nimbus. • Aurora, wherever she stepped, snowflakes shimmered like stars. Radiant and graceful, she rekindles hope wherever she walks. • Nimbus, bold and buoyant, scatters laughter and guides the sleigh with aurora sparks. Together, they became the Keepers of the Polar Glow — guardians of a radiant wave of light that blankets the Earth each Christmas Eve, stirring the spirit of giving in every soul. Though few know their names, children have always sensed their magic. That's why, when they sing "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas," it's more than a song — it's a melody that stirs Aurora and Nimbus from their crystalline slumber, calling them to dance across the sky and light the way for Santa and his sleigh. And every holiday season, when the auroras bend southward, unfurling across the winter sky like a radiant bridge of light. Over Lake Erie, the Polar Glow arches in shimmering hues — emerald, violet, sapphire and gold. At the far end of this celestial bridge, Aurora and Nimbus appear, their luminous forms shimmering against the horizon. Aurora's steps scatter star-like snowflakes across the frozen waves, while Nimbus sparks laughter that dances like fireflies along the aurora's edge. Together, they stand as beacons, guiding Santa's sleigh across the radiant path, ensuring he finds his way to Sandusky each Christmas season.