Meet Austin Lawhorn | Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Lawhorn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe nostalgia and a yearning for recreating childhood is the biggest factor behind the success of the North Pole. There are so few experiences that we as parents can have today that is experienced almost the exact same way as when we were kids. How many times do we tell kids about no streaming television and explain the idea of movie rentals? Or about how there were no cell phones, or playing in the streets until the lights came on and we all just went home? I feel like as parents we have this basic longing to bring back a more simple time and here at the North Pole we have maintained this vintage nostalgic park that parents can see through their children and recreate those childhood memories.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started working at the North Pole as a young teenager. Since we are a family business I jumped right in and started learning all of the aspects of the park. I did everything from cleaning up trash, working in our arcade, running packages, spinning cotton candy to working on rides and in retail. I think the choice to stay with the family business was very easy- but the work is not always easy. I couldn’t imagine not being involved at the North Pole- but we have been through our share of interesting times and I take it all very personally, so there have been some very hard moments especially in the last 2 years. But I have learned that the good outweighs the bad and what we do matters to people. And most importantly we are the guardians of several family memories and traditions so I keep that in mind when I contribute to the decisions that are made here. It’s not just a job, or a brand it’s bigger than that for us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would make sure they see all of the beautiful places around our area, there are so many to name! For sure Cheyenne Canyon and Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak- we would have to do lunch at Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs. Dinner at one of the amazing new spots either on the Old North End or all of the new spots popping up downtown. If they have kids of course the zoo and bring them up to work with me! If we have time to travel a bit take a drive to Canyon City or up towards Cripple Creek. I love the back roads up Old Stage Road that leads to Cripple Creek then back down the pass. One of my favorite things about living in this area is you can hike/drive for 10 minutes and all of the sudden feel like you are totally out of the city- living around these incredible mountains is such a wonderful gift so I would make sure they see all of that beauty that we get to enjoy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Tom Haggard Owner of the North Pole
The North Pole is such a special place because he has been at the helm of the park for so many years. He has seen economic recessions, fires, floods, a pandemic and somehow the park has stayed magical and special for families throughout the years.

Website: northpolecolorado.com

Instagram: NorthPoleColorado

Facebook: Santa’s Workshop North Pole, Colorado

Image Credits
Design Rangers