In which we return to Santa Camp, and there are many jolly folk
It's time to blow the dust off the Red Suit.
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| Jim is always fabulous in red; this is my first year at Santa Camp in garb |
The NorPac Santas are a regional chapter of IBRBS: the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas.
More than that: they are a super group of jolly folk, dedicated to making people happy.
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| Santa True: a top-quality Santa and instructor of Christmas performers (and a really nice man) |
It's not all cookies and milk for Christmas performers, by the way.
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| Attentive Santas take notes |
Santa True's two-day workshop covers important topics like adding value to performances by including songs, stories, and audience participation, knowing how to stay in character,
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| Incorporating story books into a performance: the right way (as demonstrated by a famous librarian) |
and even a special session for Elves, Fairies, and Mrs. Clauses (and reindeer wranglers, like me!).
Hard-working Santas know that it's important to eat a balanced diet
and spend plenty of time every day playing games
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| A target-practicing game: blow the mini-marshmallow through the giant candy cane and ring the bell! |
and having fun.
The culmination of the annual workshop is the Grand Parade through Great Wolf Lodge.
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| More than 60 Santas, elves, Whos, and Mrs. Clauses stage for the parade |
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| Claus-ian support staff, represent! |
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| Kirby is new to the "Mrs Claus" business. She lives locally, and she has horses! |
After much primping and fussing and taking of photos, the parade begins at last.
After the Parade is one of my favorite parts: the meet-and-greet, in which the freshly groomed Clauses venture out among children for the first time after the long summer hibernation season.
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| Santa Jim is happy to see the wolflings |
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| They are not too old for Santa |
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| There's something about the plush suit that invites group hugs |
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| This is the baby's first birthday. Quite a celebration! |
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| This child has already charmed the bells right off those reindeer |
Santa Season in the Swampland: let the merriment commence!
I wish I could explain the phenomenon to the Germans. I say, "Santa, well, you approach and ask a gift."
ReplyDeleteWhat? Well, I dunno, You ..he sits.... you ask....
J saw "A Christmas Story" and something magical happened....he got it. Even though he has no frame of reference. (It's not a thing here, how could it be?)
When the weather changes for the worse, I put on a proper German Winter coat, I stick my arms out and say, "I can't put my arms down, I can't put my arms down!"
And J laughs as if it's his culture that made that joke.
Absolutely magical! I adore this - Santa and his helpers made my childhood absolutely magical. I love learning a little more about how they make it happen. What wonderful people you all are.
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