At Riverside Children’s Theatre’s Festival of Trees in 2003, Santa’s presence was enjoyed by Brianna Miller (in Santa’s arms) and her sister Annalise.
Standing over six feet tall, with a great belly, full white beard, hearty laugh and twinkling blue-green eyes, 67-year-old George Blythe looks and sounds like Santa Claus without even trying.
Fortunately, George does not let his likeness to St. Nick go to waste. For the past 23 years, he’s played Santa Claus for nonprofit and community service organizations, hospitals, nursing homes and churches throughout Indian River County.
“The Exchange Club had a Breakfast with Santa Claus event in the early ’80s. Somebody grabbed me for it and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he says. “My first Santa gig starts around November 20 with the Festival of Trees at Riverside Children’s Theatre. After that, I’m booked solid for a month.”
Over the years, hundreds of children have sat on George’s lap and asked for a new doll or the latest gadget, but this Santa prefers to engage them in a holiday discussion.
Read the entire article in the December 2004 issue
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