Date line:  March 19, 2009 - Celebrate Santa

Installment #2 from our Roving Reporter, Santa Paul Raines

Well, things are moving fast. Today has started already at 8:30am and it seems like last night just ended. Let's see, we have had 3 classes, 2 shows, 2 bus rides, a gala dinner, not much time for shopping, and a lot of Ho, Ho, Ho’s. Oh, and a huge parade of Santas. Let's see, there was an old car, 3 cyber sleighs, a boat, a train, a trailer road of  FORBSantas, several other groups of walking Santas, Mrs.Cs, helpers, clowns, and more.

It was a great time, but I was worn out at the end of the parade and my feet

are killing me today. HOHOHO!

Today's classes are exciting and a bit packed. I wish they could have been spread out over the last 3 days. I am attending the Santa America session on in depth instruction on Autism, Internet marketing, and the Santa America round table. I believe Santa Fred, Arizona, is going to Pod Casting, and his wife is going to Marketing Santa all year long, and Booking Mrs. Claus. Yesterdays classes were good as well, with good information on Autism introduction, stage presence, and Santa and the Deaf. Unfortunately I couldn't take them all in.

They are already planning for Celebrate Santa 2010 and trying to build the excitement. Well, we will see.  For me, it would be a little much for go to one of these conventions every year and I am getting that feeling from several others. The good news for you who were unable to come this year, is maybe you can next year.

I tried to get some statistics yesterday from the leaders, but either they don't know or didn't keep a record of the registration of who were Santas, Mrs. Claus, helpers or whatever. Here are the statistics that I finally was able to get. There are somewhere over 400 Santas (real bearded and not), more importantly, there are about 650 (+ or -) folks in attendance. Again, don't take this as biblical, but attendance is from about 39 states and 4 countries. (USA, Canada, Sweden, and Australia.)

Not every thing has been perfect at this convention, however, are they ever at any convention? Some have gotten upset over not enough food in quantity for everyone, without waiting. Some haven't liked the classes they attended or riding a school bus instead of a charter bus, but I think I can report that for most of us, this convention was very successful.

This morning I have been told that last night Santa Ernest was taken to Emergency. No news on what is wrong, but they are doing testing, and he wants to go home as soon as possible. Also, and I have been told by a reliable source, I think  that Nick Trolli as taken away in an ambulance with some type of seizure. (That's all I know on either). I will try to find out more.

We will have lots of pictures in the near future. I apologize for not having a story everyday, but where I am staying outside of town, there is no cell service or Wi-Fi.  

More to come tomorrow.