They Wore The Red Suit will be shown at the Indianapolis Film Festival! Indianapolis Museum of Art 4:30 PM Sunday, July 21 or 6:15 PM Wednesday July 24 This is the first of several independent film festivals the film will be shown at and we really want to show a crowd! Since this is the first showing there will be a lot of media and press at this event. Please come and show your support and give the cameras your best Ho Ho Ho! Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased online at: http://indyfilmfest.festivalgenius.com/2013/films/theyworetheredsuit_larrypeter_indyfilmfest2013

When is the Santas going to have their 2013 breakfast --- time n place---- thanks Santa Laureate

Check out the Gallery under Get-Togethers for photos from the Illinois Santas luncheon. Thanks to the generosity of several of our Mrs. Claus' we have 46 photos posted so far. Thanks everyone who attended for making this a fantastic event. Illinois Santas Luncheon Gallery

Our agenda for the Illinois Association of Professional Santas (Illinois Santas) for our meeting on February 18, 2012 at Alexander’s Restaurant, 1725 North State Street in Elgin, Illinois, is as follows: Meeting starts promptly at 11:30 am with ordering lunch. Everyone is responsible for their own food orders and gratuities. During this time we will discuss any Santa related topics. At 1:00 pm, we will make the short journey over to Dundee to the Santa’s Village property. From 1:00 pm to approximately 2:15 pm we will be given tours of the facility with the park’s Santa, Phil Wenz and enjoy a special desert served by one of Santa’s elves. After our tour all the Santas and Mrs. Clauses are invited to the Quality Inn/Elgin, which is across the street from Alexander’s Restaurant, to see a display of the Santa Claus suits and equipment with Santa Sam Militello of Santa & Co., LLC. Sam will be available from 2:00 pm until 5:30 pm. We have some special quests for our meeting and some special presentations. The family of the late Don Goers, the Santa of Santa’s Village from 1966-1979 will be in attendance. Also the wife of the late Illinois Santa, Paul Podzamsky, Elaine will be attending. These families will be given a special memorial from the Illinois Association of Professional Santas. We have over 35 attending and have room for a few more. Please contact me, David Hoopes, at 224.210.4287 or by email at SantaDavid46(at)aol.com. Santa David Hoopes

Wishing your association a long and success filled journey of growth and sharing in IL.

Heads up, Santas! We are just two weeks away from our luncheon and tour on Saturday, February 18 at 11:30. We have more than 30 coming so far! Tour? What tour, you say? After lunch we will all adjourn to the famous Santa's Village. This may be your only chance to see the inside of this famous park. Our tour and informational presentation will be given by none other than the Legendary Santa himself, Phil Wenz. The park is over 50 years and Phil has been the resident Santa for 25 of them. We will even have some special guests attending. Santas from all over are encouraged to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Please RSVP to me, Santa David Hoopes, at santadavid46(at)aol.com or post right here. The luncheon is being held at Alexander's Restaurant , 1725 North State Street (Rte 31) in Elgin, Illinois. I hope to see many of you there. Santa David Hoopes

sure was wishing I could come, but the "Red Suit Roundtable in Atlanta is scheduled for the same weekend! have fun!

I sure hope that the two groups could get together especially because of the tour.

My apologies, Gloria. I wasn't aware of the Central Illinois gathering. However, Mike offers a great solution. We would love to have all of you join us "up north" if you can. A visit to Santa's Village is something most Santas will never be able to do. Since there is a resident Santa there, no other Santas are allowed in during normal business hours. It would be too confusing for the children. Please join us. Santa David Hoopes

Hi David, would love to make it to this one, but unfortunately cannot. I'm from Central Illinois originally and most of my immediate family members are still there, so I get back frequently, at least twice per year if not more often. Please include me in your email distribution, and hopefully I'll have a chance to get back to one of your events soon.

Maybe the Central Illinois Santas could meet with the Illinois Professional Santa and tour Santas Villiage toghter. That would solve to confilct of 2 groups meeting the same day. Don't want to tell anyone how to run their group, Just an outsider looking in.

I too am sorry that I cannot attend. With my professional and extracurricular activity schedule the announced date is on too short a notice for me to fit it into my calendar. With any luck, I will be able to make it to Santa's Village with my grandchildren sometime this year. Hope everyone has a great time. Santa Forbey

I am so sorry that the date you are having this already has a gathering in Central Illinois scheduled. Was hoping to take the tour of Santas Village that I knew was being planned. I am sure several others from Central Illinois would have been interested if this wasn't a conflict of dates.

The Northern Illinois Santa Group is expanding to become the Illinois Association of Professional Santas or Illinois Santas for short. We, as a group, are still part of the Midwest SANTA group as a local state chapter. We would like to welcome all area Santas to join us for fun, friendship and sharing. To begin with we will be having a luncheon on February 18 followed by a special tour of Santa's Village conducted by the Legendary Santa himself, Phil Wenz. We are one of the largest states in the country and it is time for us to have our own state group. We are welcoming any Santas from surrounding states because some of you do not have a state organization of your own yet. I would remind all that this is the group that brought you the Reindeer Rendezvous, photos of which you will find all over the internet. We plan many more events like that. So, join us on February 18 for our first official gathering under our new name. A flyer containing all mecessary information can be seen at the link below. IL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SANTAS

Sorry, I saw the announcement in the Midwest Santas newslist and assumed it was a Midwest Santas event. It is 25°F and snowing in Mattoon this morning. Expected high of 29°F, and the snow should cease about noon. Jane and I are not going, the roads are bad in our neighborhood, but your mileage may vary.

Sorry that this was posted as a Midwest Santa event, it was not advertised as such. I posted an announcement on Midwest Santa orginally to let everyone know of the event. All Midwest Santas are invited as well as anyone else that has an interest in Santa or Mrs. Claus and etc. There will be Santas involved with Midwest Santas in attendance. Every Santa is welcome to attend and enjoy the fun.

This is not a Midwest SANTA event! PLEASE DO NOT USE TNE NAME WITHOUT PERMISSION. Jerry Owens or I will announce our spring gathering. Thank you.

Membership in any particular Santa group is not required. Reindeer handlers and other interested parties that have not been specifically enumerated are hereby invited by reference. The long range weather forecast at this point is uncertain. Normal High for Feb 5th in Mattoon is 36°F. Corresponding Low is18° F. I will update the weather forecast in this post as the date approaches.

Mike it was nice seeing you as well it has been to long.

Was very nice to see 7 members of Midwest SANTA at the event in Santa Claus, Ind. Was very nice to see Bill and Christa Young members from Ohio. Had a great time seeing old friends.

The water tower was my mistake. Yes it was Lehigh Park. I'll get the info on the group. Would be glad to have you as a member.

I just saw this on another thread, and posted my Oglesby IL "story" (which is a big part of my story, trust me): Santas visiting my home town! I'm trying to figure out which park the picnic was at. Must be Lehigh park on the East side of town, but I'm confused about how that would "under the water tower." BTW, if anyone can share a link or other info about the Midwest Santa organization, I'd love to sign up, and perhaps one day will be able to attend a luncheon somewhere.

Mary and I would like to thank everyone that came to the luncheon on Sat. It was very nice that everyone could let their hair down and just be themselve instead of Santas for the day. I didnt hear a ho ho ho either and it was very kool. See ya next year.

Dave that would be great if you called in the middle of the next one and talked to everyone. LOL

Sounds like you all had a great time. Wish i could have been there. Next time you guys have a meeting, maybe I'll call to say hello