by Martha Rose Woodward
Ever heard the old saying, “This is as good as Christmas in July?“ For one Knoxville resident celebrating the Christmas season can occur in July or any time throughout the year. Bill Larson, a 60 something gent with a head full of white hair and a long white beard, says that he is often asked if he is Santa because of the way he looks. “I don’t mind,” he said.
Bill Larson says that no matter if it is mid-summer or January, any time is a good time for folks who are going to have a Christmas party to begin thinking about scheduling a visit from Santa Claus.
Larson, who describes himself as a “computer geek,” says he has been assuming the role of Santa Claus for many years. Larson said, “It’s that spirit of Christmas that I want to pass on to each and every little boy and girl (or little girl and boy at heart). Santa is real, and Santa is unconditional love. The Christmas season wouldn’t be the same without Santa, and Santa wouldn’t be without Christmas.”
Larson says that he has always found Christmas to be a magical time of year and he enjoys sharing that feeling.
Larson writes on his web site www.santaknoxville.com, “Wouldn’t you like to hear the words ‘Ho,ho,ho’ straight from Santa at your holiday celebration? Or perhaps, a personal visit from Santa would be the perfect gift for your child or grandchild. Maybe you would like family pictures with Santa taken in your own home. Whatever your Santa needs this holiday season, even including a Big Orange Santa, www.SantaKnoxville has the solution.
The Big Orange Santa dresses in a Big Orange suit and will help with your Voliday. Big Orange Santa is perfect for family photos for the truly fanatic Vol fans.”
Prices begin at $75 to $100 per hour according to the size of the event. Larson says that no event is too big or too small for a visit from Santa. He especially enjoys visiting sick children in the hospitals and surprising children for special birthday parties.
When not being Santa, Larson spends every Wednesday at noon at the Northside Kiwanis Club where he enjoys being of service to the community through their numerous projects.
Contacts : Phone 865-35-SANTA, e-mail santa@santaknoxville.com, or mail at:
Santa Claus
PO Box 53315
North Pole 37950-3315
