Press ReleaseFourteen Charter Members of new International Santa Claus Hall of Fame announced
SANTA CLAUS, IN (PRWEB) The historic Candy Castle was dedicated on December 22, 1935, as the original building of the nation’s first themed attraction Santa Claus Town. Now 75 years later, the castle is making history once again as the home to the new International Santa Claus Hall of Fame! The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is an ongoing project that celebrates, studies, and preserves the historical documentation of the many men and women who have greatly contributed to the Legend of Santa Claus.
The tradition of a live Santa Claus entertaining children dates back nearly 170 years. It is rumored that Santa Claus made his first visit to a dry goods store, J. W. Parkinsona’s in Philadelphia on December 24, 1841. Later in 1887, Santa arrived in Peoria, Illinois as part of the world’s first Santa Claus Parade. Three years later, in December 1890, a department store owner named James Edgar of Brockton, Massachusetts dressed up as Santa Claus based on a 1863 illustration of Santa by artist Thomas Nast. Edgar became the world’s first department store Santa and the concept of a live Santa quickly spread around the country.
“Literally tens of thousands of men have portrayed Santa for children over the decades.” commented Kevin Klosowski, proprietor of the Candy Castle. “A handful of these men as Santa were and are truly exceptional.”
The 14 Santas that were selected as Charter Members of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame came from a process that started with 50 nominees. All candidates were held to a criteria including, over all career, service to their community or company, range of appearances, contribution to the Santa world, length of service, uniqueness of career, originality, and charity. Annually, more Santas and Mrs. Clauses will be added to the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
Included among the 14 enshrines are Charles W. Howard (1896-1966) of Albion, New York and Jim Yellig (1894-1984) of Santa Claus, Indiana. Howard created the world’s first Santa Claus School and was Macy’s parade Santa for 18 years. Yellig became the official Santa to Santa Claus Land in 1946 and for the next 38 years had more children sit on his knee than any other Santa ever.
Along with the original Charter Members, the Saint that is the basis for the Santa Claus Legend is being honored. The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame is dedicated to Nicholas of Myra, the 4th century bishop known for his great deeds of generosity. St. Nicholas is known as the patron Saint of children.
“The custom of visiting Santa and sitting on his knee is a true Christmas tradition for children of all ages. For others, being Santa Claus is the tradition. It is not a job, it is a true vocation.” added Klosowski.
For complete bio information on the 14 Charter Members of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, please visit www.santaclaushall.com
I amso thrilled to see the new Santa Claus Hall of Fame. My parents were friends of Bill Strother and his wife Ethel when they resided in Petersburg, VA. as the owners of a boarding house. When he served as Miller & Rhodes Santa, I never realized that I was sitting on “uncle Bills lap. His love for children knew no bounds. One Chridtmas before my brother died of kidney disease, (at the age of ten), Bill picked my family up in the Miller & Rhodes lemo. They were Santa’s guest for lunch, sitting on the stage at his table with the Snow Queen & elf.
They met Felix Adler the clown & his pig Amelia. My brother was alowed to feed Amelia from her baby bottle. My parents said that my brother talked about that wonderful experience until he passed away.
I am so pleased you have inducted wonderful “new” Santas into the 2011 Santa Claus Hall of Fame! Of course, I am partial to Santa Bill Strother, as he was “my Santa” that I visited at Miller & Rhoads in Richmond as a child. And, since you have “honored him” this month as a featured chartered member of the 2010 inductees, may I please note that the photo you have presented of him with the two little girls is the photo of my sister, Judith Strother Jones (on left) and me, Donna Strother Deekens, on right (in “Shirtly Temple curls!”), at M & R in 1956. Little did I know that I would again be by the side of the Miller & Rhoads Santa many years later in 1971 as a “Snow Queen,” where I worked as “Santa’s helper” until the store closed in 1989 and then we moved to Thalhimers until they closed a few years later. I always thought it ironic that my maiden name is “Strother,” and that I would become a “Snow Queen” at the store, following in the steps of “Santa Bill.” It seems so interesting that although we did not know it at the time, I probably was related to that very famous and dear Santa of my childhood! Thank you for honoring him!
I can’t wait to see the Santa Claus Candy Castle and to visit some of the Schools for Santas’ May Everyone here and to all of those who wore the Red Suit..a Very Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year..It is a Pleasure to be one of them from 1968 to current..I have been the unoffial Santa Of Rutland Vermont…Many Blessings to you all
Santa Kevin