Santa Gathering 2024
The Santa Gathering is held at the Doubletree Resort by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA from September 4th through the 8th. This is our largest event of the year with classes, excursions, activities, entertainment & banquets, vendor room shopping, and socializing time. Registration for this event is closed.
Agenda
Excursions & Activities
Sight & Sound Theatre, Thursday, September 5th
300 Hartman Bridge Road Ronks, PA 17572
Arrive by car or carpool by 2:00 PM
For this optional excursion, we are going to the Sight & Sound Theatre to see their 2024 production of Daniel. Tickets are $85 and limited to 100 participants. No reservations will be taken after we reach this limit, or after July 30th, whichever comes first. Please order early from our Payment & Checkout page if you want to go.
Sight & Sound’s motto is “Where the Bible comes to life!” Its entertainment is designed to be universally appealing – regardless of age, life experience, or previous exposure to the Bible. As a family-owned, family-led company, their desire is to see families and friends come together for a shared experience that leaves them with a lifetime memory. Their unique theater experience begins with a 2,000 seat auditorium, a 300-ft stage that surrounds the audience on three sides, a cast of 50 actors, state-of-the-art technology, and live animals.
Dutch Wonderland, Saturday, September 7th
2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster, PA
Website: www.dutchwonderland.com
Arrive by car or carpool by 9:15 AM
Since opening on May 20, 1963, Dutch Wonderland has consistently been recognized as a premier family theme park near Philadelphia, PA and has been voted one of the Top 5 Best Kids Parks in the World by Amusement Today magazine. We invite you to plan a visit to find out why generations of families have visited us and proclaimed us to be A KINGDOM FOR KIDS!
I don’t know of a better way to wind down then to be at Dutch Wonderland and seeing children’s eyes as we enter the park, and not only theirs but also the parents, and make our way to the Train. It is so cool to see the Santas and Mrs. Clauses take their seats and ride the train around the park. This will be our eighth year and it is still as wonderful as the first. After the train ride we will tour the park, sit on a bench and greet the children or climb into a bumper car and I can tell you the kids love it.
Cost: Included with registration fee.
Fashion Show
Santa Clauses, Mrs. Clauses, and all other Christmas performers, we welcome you to be part of our annual Fashion Show. It’s a time to show off your Christmas finery! Search your closets and creative minds for your best and funniest Christmas outfits and bring them with you. The Fashion Show is held every year on Saturday night. Questions? Please write to us at SantaGathering25@gmail.com.
Training Classes
# TRAINING CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
1 Brain Awareness and Staying Sharp – Jill Kaylor, Visiting Angels
You are blessed to grow older and that means you need to keep your brain active and sharp. Come learn some valuable information to help you live wiser.
2 Enhancing Your Santa Visit with Simple Techniques – George & Carol McCleary
This class is about how to enhance your Santa visit. George and Carol will demonstrate music, magic, games, tales of the north pole, the use of fairy dust, the collecting of fairies, using a Santa sleigh and various techniques to make a more memorable visit. George, who has been a Santa for 40 years averaging 80 visits per year.
3 Stretch Something Different with Laughter Yoga – Bill Schober
As a Laughter Yoga leader since 2016, Bill has found the age old saying of “Laughter being the best medicine” to be very true. Laughter Yoga is a series of “Laughter exercises” done daily to get the benefits of strengthening all immune functions, bringing more oxygen to your brain and body, plus fostering positive feelings.
4 Tax Q & A – Ann Donley & George Grassic
In this class, for beginners and more experienced performers, you are invited to ask questions regarding taxes and general business practices. Ann and George have a wealth of information to share as tax experts. Come with your questions or just sit in to listen and learn.
5 Living Wills, Advanced Directives, Choosing a POA – Jill Kaylor, Visiting Angels
Learn about these important documents, what they mean, how to create them. Afterwards, you are invited to ask questions.
6 Fun & Games with the Clauses – Wendy Leonard & Brian Marchetti
Children delight in visiting with Santa but often a visit requires more than just getting the perfect picture and the child telling Santa what they want for Christmas. This class explores games and activities that can be used to help create magical and fun memories for all participants.
7 Working with Mr. & Mrs. – Duffy & Sparkles (aka, Mike & Nina)
This class provides hints and guidance on how Santa and Mrs. Claus may work best together or with either an elf or an event person. It provides ideas on things to think about, talk about, and have ready before the event.
8 Stories To Share – Becki Stratton
I will share a few tips about sharing stories with children (and adults). We will look at some of my favorites and ideas on how to expand/perform your story time. You will be able to look at the books and share your favorite with the group! A book list will be available.
9 Magical Storytelling with Santa – Chris Burton
Chris will share some easy magic, along with some props and ideas, to help you take your storytelling to an exciting new level. As an expert storyteller, he’ll help you get your audience engaged.
10 Puppets & Magic – Scott Correll – CANCELLED
Learn closeup easy pocket magic, on-the-spot magic that you perform for anybody to show that Santa and Mrs. Claus are truly magical. The magic is very easy and unbelievable. Scott will show you how to make your puppet come alive. ANY puppet! He shows you the magic you can do with your puppets. Puppets are great for interacting, storytelling and for lots of laughter.
11 4 Functions of Behaviors and How to Deal with Them – Ken Baker
In this class, we will look at 4 scientifically backed functions of all behaviors, how they may affect your Santa business, and how to deal with them as a professional performer. The class will include practical tips for each person to use immediately following the presentation.
12 Create Your Own Centerpiece Class – Nancy Hopkins
Come have fun making a one-of-a-kind, festive, illuminated centerpiece from LED lights and wine glasses, decorated with an assortment of bows, greens, flowers, ornaments, etc. Nancy is an experienced crafter and teacher that will guide you through this delightful craft. $20 material fee. (Prepayment & registration required)
13 Easy Pocket Magic for Santa, Mrs. Claus & Elves – Steve Kissell
Easy pocket magic to amaze everyone. SANTA is magic. A lot of Mrs. Clauses and Santas are buying more magic. Mrs. Claus entertains at day care centers, starting in November, to let the kids know more about Santa coming. There are more elves doing the same thing. And of course, Santa can always do a quick magic trick from his pocket.
14 Make Your Own Beard Balm Demonstration & Sample – Paul Agrusti
It is said the Keys to the appearance of a great Santa are the beard, the belt, and the boots. This class is all about the beard and how a beard balm’s natural beeswax provides the grip for a tidy and polished look. Santa Paul will show you how he creates his own beard balm while highlighting the benefits of each ingredient.
15 Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job and Your Dream Job – Ken Baker
Based on the book by this same name, written by Jon Acuff, Ken will share practical ideas and information on how to move from your day job (what some may be doing as their main source of income) to your dream job (hopefully Santa – but can be applied to anything).
16 Magic with the Clauses – Duffy & Sparkles (aka, Mike & Nina)
We will show and provide simple magic elements that can be used in a visit/performance, both in home visits and large events. We also provide links to various vendors where items can be purchased.
17 Child Development: How This Helps Our Performance – Nick Gillotte, Saint Nick
This course explains key development markers in children of all ages and shows you how knowing the age group of the children can add to our connections. Certain tips and tricks that also aid in this.
18 Santa Roundtable Discussion – Ken Baker
Join us for a lively round table discussion with fellow professional Santas! This is your chance to share experiences, swap tips, and discuss important topics that impact your Santa career. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the role, you’ll gain valuable insights and connect with others who share your passion.
19 A Peek into Mrs. Claus’s Basket – Judy Maynard
In this class, you will be shown a few things (behind the scenes) that will make your day run smoothly and learn about packing one basket for multiple visits.
20 Overview & History of Twas The Night Before Christmas – Pamela McColl
I have an award-winning book on the history of Twas The Night Before Christmas and a lively presentation which includes a fascinating overview of the art legacy and history of the ever-popular classic poem Twas The Night Before Christmas. Follow the story of the development of the poem over 200 years of Christmas across America.
21 Mrs. Clauses & Elves Roundtable Discussion – Wendy Leonard
Come join a roundtable discussion for Mrs. Clauses and Elves. You can listen and learn or choose to share. The discussion will continue around the room, giving everyone an opportunity to speak or to just relax and enjoy learning some tricks of the trade from those that share what has worked for them.
Santa Bill Neely and Mrs. Claus Alana Neely
Excursion & Activities Coordinators