Santa Mark

I can provide a background check and proof of liability insurance should you need either.

You can expect the best and most loving Santa Claus experience I can give-all with my own Real Beard! Not all visits may have the time or warrant including story telling or sing-alongs but I will always be in character and share my love of Christmas with your children and family.

Any special services you would like to have me perform will be done with enthusiasm and completed to the best of my ability. (Maybe we could have Santa helping kids with a painting or drawing class, or teaching them to wrap presents for Mom and Dad.)

I have several different whimsical Santa costumes as well. How about a modern cowboy or the Old West Santa Claus? Or a farmer Santa in red bib overalls and straw hat? Or the artist Santa in a beret and vest? If you have need for a unique Santa for a theme, I can make up the costume and portray the part! (there may be an additional fee depending on how extensive the costume becomes.)

Don't forget, this Santa is an accomplished singer and guitar player too!
(There is an additional fee for bringing a guitar. Please ask for pricing.)

My beard is real, my hair is real, my love, sincerity, and understanding of my responsibility to you and your family is genuine. When I put on the red suit, I really think of myself as the man himself: Santa Claus!

I grew up and graduated High School in Columbus, OH but spent 7 years of my childhood in Houston, TX which led me to being exposed to different cultural experiences early in life. This influenced my ability to be flexible with people and gave me a huge appetite for learning and accepting ideas and customs from all walks of life as well as the wanderlust for adventure. I was fortunate to come from a family with several talented musicians and storytellers and eventually became one myself! I attended college at both The Ohio State University and The University of Arizona. I served as a US Navy hospital corpsman and USMC medic.
I wound up living in Arizona for nearly 36 years as a small business owner, entertainer, and for many years, as the MC for dozens of music festivals and civic events in Tucson, Phoenix, Prescott, Sierra Vista, AZ; and in Santa Fe, NM.

Looking back, I never thought I was actually in training to be a future Real Bearded Santa!

I became a tour guide and narrated the stories of the desert southwest, the Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone National Park, in addition to tours of Alaska and the Yukon Territory, Canada. In 2010 I moved to Nashville, TN and started driving motor coaches and giving tours sharing the rich history and folklore of Music City and Tennessee . . . And in 2015, I began portraying Santa!
In 2022 I returned to my home in Arizona and now being Santa is still as rewarding as ever!

Again, I never considered my real Christmas calling!

So when I embraced the role of Santa Claus, it became my alter-ego, I actually became "the man in the red suit"-with gusto! I've attended the Santa Family Reunion twice in Gatlinburg, TN where over 300 Santas and Mrs Clauses participate in a mile long Christmas Parade. It was there that I learned many advanced Santa skills while attending several seminars. I'm a graduate of the International School 4 Santas in Columbus as well as Cherry Hill Programs' Santa University in Denver. Both schools are acclaimed as offering some the best studies in the art of being Santa Claus; teaching about the history, proper wearing of the red suit and grooming, in addition to working with kids with disability issues and great advice about keeping children excited during their visits with Santa!
Now I'm becoming a Real Bearded Santa Claus!

Most recently, in 2019 I was Santa at Glow Nashville at the Sounds Baseball Park downtown. In 2021, I was the Santa at Nashville's Country Christmas at Opryland Hotel. These were wonderful experiences where I saw and sat for pictures with thousands of Christmas visitors over the entire seasons.
I was Santa at Toys R Us at Rivergate Mall in Madison, at Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, at University Park Mall in Mishawaka, IN, and two different seasons at the Dancing Lights Show in Nashville and Lebanon, TN. These experiences allowed me to visit with literally tens of thousands of children and their families and that was the greatest education in being Santa Claus I could have ever gotten. I've also visited Boys and Girls clubs, pre-schools, company Christmas parties, (including being Santa to the Nashville Predators of the NHL), Trade shows, business marketing events, private community club houses, McKendree retirement home, and charity fund raisers for St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
I live in Tucson, AZ and have two daughters: one in Tucson, one in Columbus, Ohio, and five grandchildren.
That's more excellent training in being Santa!

Most of all, I love being the most sincere and loving Santa Claus I can be for you and your family.

Please don't forget . . . I also have my own Real White Beard !