Santa Larry Durian
Santa Claus in Canton, OH
Why hire Santa Larry Durian?
Over the years Santa Larry has performed in a variety of holiday venues including mall and department stores; office, school and organizational parties; personal home visits; volunteering for charitable and other non-profit children’s groups. He can be found visiting hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities and he takes great pride in being involved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign.
Santa Larry is the main stage Santa for the City of Canton’s Light Up Downtown©, sponsored by the Greater Canton Chamber of Commerce. This spectacular stage show is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with an attendance of 10, 000 people,
Best Santa ever!
Santa Larry performed in both of our "Believe" concerts the past two years. The children in the aduience absolutely loved him and he surely got the twinkle in the eyes to shine brightly those nights! He brought joy and charm to our stage and we will surely have him back next year!
Response from Santa Larry Durian:
Thank you very much, Kayli!
Hired by: Kayli D.
- Expertise
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Priced Fairly
- Adaptability
Organization: Perry High School
Event Date: December 17th, 2012
Event: Concert Venue in Massillon, Ohio
Services provided: Santa Claus
Amazing Job!
Santa Larry performed at our "Believe" concert and he did an awesome job with us and the audience.
Hired by: Lauren D.
- Expertise
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Priced Fairly
- Adaptability
Organization: Perry High School
Event Date: December 17th, 2012
Event: Concert Venue in Massillon, Ohio
Services provided: Santa Claus
About
Ohio Santa Claus is Larry Durian, who has been performing as Santa for the past thirty-seven years.
In 1974 Larry was attending UCLA and working in the Security Department at Bullock’s Department Store in Sherman Oaks, California. The store decided to have a series of Breakfast with Santa and the Fashion Merchandise Department asked Larry if he would like to be Santa for four Saturday mornings leading up to Christmas. Larry didn’t have to think twice. The store supplied him with a heavy woolen Santa Suit, a long “designer” wig and beard, and boot tops to cover his shoes. He used two down-feathered pillows for his cookie zone… and he was in business! Larry never looked back. And every year since, he’s been Santa Claus!
In 1986, while completing his master’s degree in counseling Larry’s internship consisted of working with children in crisis. He though it would be more in character during the Christmas season to grow his own Santa beard when entertaining the children. Although initially brown, the years have given way to a distinguished fluffy, mature, unmistakably-looking Santa beard, typically fitting the tradition of Jolly St. Nick.
Over the years Santa Larry has performed in a variety of holiday venues including mall and department stores; office, school and organizational parties; personal home visits; volunteering for charitable and other non-profit children’s groups. He can be found visiting hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities and he takes great pride in being involved with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign.
Santa Larry is the main stage Santa for the City of Canton’s Light Up Downtown©, sponsored by the Greater Canton Chamber of Commerce. This spectacular stage show is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with an attendance of 10,000 people, both young and young at heart!
Larry is also the official Santa for Canton’s popular radio station WHOF (101.7 FM).
You can find Santa Larry this year at the Historic Palace Theatre performing in Canton’s Community Christmas, a yearly benefit for the Canton Palace Theatre and the Stark County Hunger Task Force.
Since 1985 Larry has been performing magic, initially working just with children, but over the years he enjoys watching the laughter and amazement on the faces of children, both young, and young at heart. He’ll often time’s incorporate magic in his visits and use the message that there is magic in all of us, regardless of age.
For the past twenty-eight years Larry has dedicated his career to working with at-risk youth and their families. As an Administrative Supervisor for Stark County Family Court, in Canton, Ohio he finds portraying Santa gives him the opportunity to find the good in children of all ages.
Santa Larry has been married to Mrs. Claus for thirty-five years, and when not spending his time in the North Pole has enjoyed the last thirty-two years vacationing in Stark County, Ohio.
Ohio Santa Claus (dba) Larry Durian is bonded, insured and has passed background checks conducted by the Stark County Ohio Sheriff’s Department, The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This information is available upon request.
Influences
Traditional and inspirational Christmas movies. Any performer who values the importance of having fun...but not at the expense of others. Performers who demonstrate the true meaning of the holiday season and believe that character counts throughout the entire year.
What to Expect
Typical Gig Duration: 15 - 240 minutes
Singing Christmas songs and telling Christmas stories; Individualizing stories that include the children's activities throughout the year; Performing magic; including the children's names on a "Nice List"; Creating "Nice" and "Naughty" Certificates for adults. Santa personalizes every home or corporate visit. Santa will "roast" individuals when given appropriate information of those present at the visit. Very CLEAN humor and all families and businessis will have FUN with Santa Larry.
Stage/Setup Requirements:
Varies with performance venues
Additional Notes:
Technical requirements vary, depending on the performance venue.
Set/Song/Sequence List:
1/2 hour visit to all day. I have participated in photo shoots that have me on set for 2 or 3 days.
Available for Your
Christmas Party, Corporate Event, Grand Opening
