Christmas in July? You bet!!

Normally you associate Branson, Missouri with celebrities like Yakov Smirnov. Country legends like Glen Campbell, Barbara Mandrel and The Oak Ridge Boys have played many a show in the popular tourist destination. Last week however, Branson was the rendezvous site for a very different class of celebrity.

Branson welcomed the first National Convention of AORBS, the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas. That’s right, a few hundred professional real-bearded Santas and (not bearded) Mrs. Clauses held a 4-day get together featuring seminars, workshops and a trade show. Some of the topics held were “How To Handle Difficult Questions From Children,” “The Art Of Story Telling,” “Working With Special Needs Children,” “Getting A Complete Background Check” and a forum called “The Professional Mall Santa.”

Now a lot of times I would just end my daily post with a joke about whatever topic I’ve ruminated about, but I just can’t this time. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Christmas, which is why I think this story is so cool. My closest friends have spent many a 4th of July listening to me say, “You know, Christmas will be here before you know it.”

So hat’s off to the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas. I appreciate what you all do and the joy you bring to children everywhere. We’ll see you in a few months on 34th Street and at our local mall!