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Why are there so many Santa Clauses in Memphis? The Christmas party takes place in the city

One of the world's top Claus conferences, the International Santa Celebration, which begins Thursday in Memphis, isn't just limited to Kris Kringles.

“Participation is open to anyone in the Christmas community,” said Stephen Arnold of Arlington, president of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, the convention’s host organization.

“It’s good for Mrs. Clauses,” he said. “It’s good for elves. It’s good for reindeer handlers.”

“We have 42 workshops,” said Howard Graham, president of Celebration Events of Elkton, Maryland, a Radio City Music Hall Santa in New York for 12 years. He said Santas in attendance would receive tips on topics such as red suit storage, beard grooming and cheerful laughter.

“When someone shouts 'Ho, ho, ho' in a strong voice, it has a tendency to scare children,” Graham said. “We teach people that you don’t have to be loud. Subtle is better.”

“Subtle” may not be a word you associate with tall men with full white beards who work in red fur-trimmed suits. But the 300-plus Kris Kringles who will attend the convention will mostly dress (relatively speaking) in what Santa Claus calls “Christmas casual,” namely red or green shirts and pants with Christmas patterns.

“I have a few T-shirts with dancing reindeer on them,” said Arnold, 73. But no matter how incognito, “We definitely look like Santa Claus. I mean, when I go to Taco Bell, people say, 'Hello.' , Santa Claus.'”

“Santa Claus 365 days a year”

The International Santa Celebration has been held every two years since 2012 and for the first time takes place Thursday through Sunday at the Sheraton Downtown Memphis and the adjacent Renasant Convention Center in Memphis.

Santas meet at the convention center for workshops, seminars and meals. “They're big eaters,” Arnold said, noting that Saturday's dinner was “a traditional Christmas dinner with turkey and dressing and potatoes and pumpkin pie.”

In the large hall, which is open to the public, vendors sell Santa Claus costumes, boots, beard bleach and other products primarily related to Christmas and/or Santa Claus.

On Thursday evening, Arnold said, nearly 300 Mr. and Mrs. Clauses will board two riverboats for a party on the Mississippi River. Seven new members will be inducted into the Santa Claus Hall of Fame on Friday evening. On Saturday they will take part in a public fundraising concert featuring impersonators Elvis, Dolly and Kenny (Rogers). On Sunday afternoon they gather for a parade on Beale Street.

But don't expect the wild antics associated with convention attendees in movies and TV shows. “We don’t go bar hopping, it’s not Santapalooza or anything like that,” Arnold said. “You'll be hard-pressed to find a 'Bad Santa'.”

“We don’t drink in public, we don’t smoke in public,” Graham said. In fact, “probably 95 percent of Santas in our organization fulfill the role of Santa Claus 365 days a year.”

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“You want to portray a real Santa Claus”

The jolly old elves in attendance will, like Arnold and Graham, mostly be “professional” Kris Kringles: bearded men who work as volunteers or paid Santas at malls, churches, children's hospitals, corporate functions, house parties and more during “Santa Claus season.”

Most St. Nicks are members of the International Brotherhood of Bearded Santas, a trade organization with about 2,250 members in 40 chapters around the world, representing many ages and ethnicities. Arnold said Santas in the celebration will fly here (by plane, not sleigh) from places like Norway, Australia and Japan.

“Here comes a French Santa Claus,” said Arnold. “The Israeli Santa Claus had to beg because everything was going on over there.”

Whatever the origins of a Santa Claus, his mission is the same. “It's the sparkle in the child's eyes and the smile on their face that you're looking for,” Graham said. “We know there is a time and a date when the child stops believing, but you want to portray a real Santa Claus. They want to see a child who might be a little scared or skeptical get excited about meeting Santa.”

As the name suggests, there are many Santas with real beards in the International Brotherhood of Bearded Santas, including many retirees who started growing their own chin brushes after they no longer felt compelled to be clean-shaven for the office. However, Santas who prefer so-called “traditional” or “designer” beards – that is, beards that are attached with “glue” (chewing gum) or a strap – are welcome.

It's a lot of work being Santa Claus

Even bearded Santas may need help achieving the classic Christmas look. Graham, a former Loeb's store manager, is 71 years old, but his beard isn't naturally snowy. “People don't realize how much maintenance it takes to constantly have a white beard and white hair,” he said. “Many of us go through a process where we have to bleach our hair and beard every ten days of the season to keep it white.”

Plus, the Santa suit is heavy – and hot. “There are special chemicals for a spray to eliminate the smell of sweat,” says Arnold, who also hangs his outfit on a “wetsuit hanger” equipped with a motorized fan to make drying easier.

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According to Memphis Travel, the holiday celebration is estimated to add $753,000 to Memphis' economy. But Stephen Arnold's son John Arnold, a 52-year-old second-generation Saint Nick who lives in Martinez, Calif., said Santas share more than just dollars.

“Our world and our country could definitely benefit from adopting some of the principles prescribed by Santa Claus,” he said, “regarding love and acceptance of all.”

Additionally, Arnold said, convention-goers should be aware of a tantalizing possibility: “Amongst all these Santa Clauses, there might be a real one.”

International Santa Claus Celebration 2024

Thursday to Sunday, 25-28. April, Renasant Convention Center.

Free public entry from 9 a.m. every day to the 16,000 square foot sales hall: Christmas, Christmas and holiday items for sale.

Saturday, 8 p.m., Renasant Convention Center: “Legends of Rock & Roll” concert featuring Elvis tribute artist Doug Church and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers tribute artists. Tickets: $35. Proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Sunday lunchtime: Santa Claus parade on Beale Street.

For more information, visit ibrbs.org/isc/.

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