Long-time Santa celebrates 44 years spreading Christmas joy to Palm Springs

Palm Springs residents have celebrated the Christmas season with their very own official Santa Claus

by Lucinda Perez
Online Manager

Veteran Santa Mike Allen hides a smile under his beard as a child tells him her Christmas wishes at the Palm Springs tree lighting ceremony on Thurs. Dec. 1. (Sofie Casassa/The Chaparral)

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Palm Springs Festival of Lights parade. On Dec. 3, like every year before, those who sat out along the Palm Springs streets to watch the lighted floats were treated to a special appearance from Santa Claus.

Michael Allen, an insurance agent from Palm Springs, has played Santa Claus for the Festival of Lights since the inaugural parade 20 years ago. Allen was an obvious fit for the role, with his previous 24 years as the official Santa Claus for the city of Palm Springs. As the official Santa Claus, Allen also visits the Palm Springs Christmas tree lighting ceremony every year.

“My big heart and maybe my big belly,” Allen says, is why he has continued to play Santa Claus for 44 years around the valley.

He does not take his official Santa Claus title lightly. He takes all measures to portray Father Christmas as authentically as possible. Allen says in the past he has used multiple wigs and suits, and has even had his hair professionally done so that he can better look the part for everyone he entertains during the Christmas season.

As the official Santa Claus of Palm Springs, many years ago, Allen even taught Santa Claus classes. Included in the lesson plan for the other Kris Kringles who put on the big, red suit is to have the proper, believable responses for the questions asked by the curious children they entertain. One of the common questions Allen gets from children is “where are your sleigh and your reindeer?” Allen’s answer to the young, inquiring minds of those children is usually something like, “they are at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, playing in the snow. They like it where it is really cold.” Of course, already with their vivid imagination captured, he continues “The nice people let me ride the tram down and gave me a ride here.” Allen believes in the importance of keeping up the character for all of the children and making himself as real as he can be for their benefit and imagination.

“I’ve got the belly and the laugh, and that’s important because […] the kids eight to twelve will question you,” he says. Those kids are the ones who will inevitably try to tug on his beard and disprove him as the real Santa Claus. “I sit back and tell them to give it their best shot,” he explains. When they tug at his beard, the children’s response is always the same, “Oh wow, it really is real!”

Another trick of Allen’s, for his Christmas night appearances, is to take the children outside and show them the red light of the Palm Springs Tram, shining atop the Valley mountains. He explains to the children that the red light shining is actually Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer’s shiny, glowing nose.

In addition to his official duties for the city of Palm Springs, over the years, Allen has also played Santa for several celebrities and some presidents. He has been Santa for Sonny Bono, Frank Sinatra and Gerald Ford. He also does special appearances for different events and at hospitals.

Allen explains that not much has changed in playing jolly old Saint Nicholas. He says, “The little girls still want Barbie dolls and the little boys still want fast toys.” He has no plans to retire from his role any time soon. He enjoys playing Santa Claus, and will continue to play the character until he is no longer able.

Short URL: http://thechaparral.com/?p=4089

Posted by The Chaparral Staff on Dec 5 2011. Filed under Advisor Approved, Features, Vol. 57, Issue 6. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry