There, on a bench just outside of the Lake Barkley State Resort Park Convention Center, sat Santa Claus — hundreds of children taking turns sitting on his lap on Thursday morning.
Everyone in the spirit due to First Lady Britainy Beshear’s Tornado Relief Toy Drive, even she and the Beshear family had a chance to snap a photo with ol’ Kris Kringle.
But this particular Santa had a little more stake in the joy and cheer being expressed in Trigg County.
Because as mighty as Santa’s network truly is, every so often he needs local agents who can deliver the Christmas message.
Enter Doug Loose, of Cadiz, who’s been playing the part for nearly a decade. On Wednesday, he and his wife Cher served as volunteers for the WPKY Toy Drive in Princeton. Thursday’s visit with the Beshears and hundreds of displaced families was just another stop before Saturday’s crowning event.
Loose has had his “Coca Cola” Santa Claus suit on loan from Cherokee Antiques in downtown Cadiz.
Seeing Thursday’s outpouring of support and love didn’t surprise Loose in the least.
Loose takes his role as Santa quite, quite seriously. He’s a member of the “Real Beard” Santas, which specifically and professionally train individuals to be more than “old guys in red suits.” They often become entertainers, caretakers and gift-givers, while working with families and businesses to enjoy the Christmas holiday.
But don’t get it twisted; Loose is no corporate Santa.
With him, it’s about joy and belief.
While Santa Claus has been arriving early all over west Kentucky in the last week, he’s certain to make another visit Friday night. NORAD Santa Tracker expects him to arrive in the area anywhere between 9 p.m. to midnight Friday night, and only to those children who are asleep.