Overland Park wins Santa convention

[KansasCityCraka]

Overland Park wins Santa convention
By LEE HILL KAVANAUGH
The Kansas City Star


Men in red, hundreds of them, gathered in Branson for last year's Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas International Convention.
Previously: Overland Park seeks Santa convention
Forgive Overland Park if it celebrates Christmas early.

Out of an initial search of 200 cities to host the “Discover Santa 2008” international conference of the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas, Overland Park has won the bid, organizers said today.

From July 8-13, 2008, the city will be saturated with 800 men with real white beards and red suits, plus about 700 family members. The Santas hope to make a big splash here, especially among area charities and the public, said Nicholas, a spokesman for the group who does not use his last name.

“Each city gave us a warm welcome, but Overland Park stood out,” he said.

Other finalists were Kansas City, Branson, St. Louis and Columbus, Ohio.

Plans are being made to have a parade of Santas, to bring in live reindeer for photos with the public, host a Christmas trade show and participate in a golf tournament with proceeds benefiting a local charity.

There will be visits and ho-hoing and glimpses of Christmas throughout the metro.

“And of course, the convention itself will be teaching Santas how to be the best Santa they can be, like how to visit with special-needs children, how to keep children safe, especially in the world we live,” Nicholas said. And in case there are cynics out there, all Santas get background checks before admittance into the group.

Nicholas added that charity groups interested in being a recipient of Santa’s cheer, or any group that would like to be in the parade, should send e-mail to www.invitesanta.com .


To reach Lee Hill Kavanaugh, call 816-234-4420 or send e-mail to lkavanaugh@kcstar.com