Subbing for Santa

He may be in his workshop at the chilly North Pole but everyone knows this is the time of year Santa is feeling the heat – when he and his elves are working around the clock to meet that December 24 delivery deadline.

Because he’s immersed in his own Christmas rush, Santa must rely on representatives worldwide to help spread holiday cheer and compile millions of present requests from youngsters who hope their names make the right side of the “naughty or nice” list.

For the last 20 years, John Feagin has held the honor of serving as Santa’s emissary for the Mountain Brook Holiday Parade, which will be Sunday Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. 

Feagin can be seen atop a big red fire engine, waving to children along the parade route. But he is quick to point out that his first gig at filling in for Santa was not nearly so spectacular and, in fact, nearly convinced him he wasn’t up to the challenge.

According to Feagin, a friend had asked if he’d play the role for her son’s birthday, which fell during the holiday season.  Shy by nature, Feagin thought it best to practice his portrayal prior to his debut by donning the jolly gentleman’s attire and knocking on neighbor’s doors.

“At the first house I rang the bell, said “ho-ho-ho” and our neighbor opened the door and said, ‘John Feagin, how many cocktails have you had?,’” he said.  “And then, when I did the same thing at the second house, that neighbor said, ‘just a minute’ and opened the door with a gun.”

If that wasn’t enough, Feagin said when he later popped into the birthday party, the children screamed and scattered.

“Our friend’s child was two years old that day and is 42 now but I bet he’s never forgotten it,” he said.  “That day I decided I just wasn’t cut out to do this.”

But the bug had bitten Feagin, and when asked to reprise his role for the children of fellow IBM employees at the company Christmas party, he obliged.

“I’m chubby—though I still have to use pillows—and for some reason people thought I had the right personality,” he said.  “I was skeptical at first but once you do it and are in character you see things a lot differently.  While the adults may not pay much attention, the kids come up and hug you and get so excited that it’s great fun.”

Feagin had so much fun that when he learned Santa’s delegate for the Mountain Brook Holiday Parade was retiring, he volunteered to fill the slot. His job includes riding atop a fire truck, making note of children’s Christmas wishes and forwarding all the letters to Santa that are dropped in village holiday mailboxes on to the North Pole.

“Being part of this community event is just wonderful,” he said.  “Riding the fire truck with all the streets so crowded is great. And when the children come up with their parents and take pictures and tell me what they want, I often know them but they have no idea it’s me.”

The same is true for Feagin’s own five grandchildren who range in age from 4 to 11 years, said Judy Feagin, who often chauffeurs her husband of 47 years when he’s in his big red suit.

“None of them even know he helps Santa during the holidays,” Judy said.  “But while I love the whole experience and enjoy driving him in our Toyota “sleigh,” I decided long ago I’m not cut out for the role of Mrs. Claus.”

The Mountain Brook Holiday Parade activities will be held on the center stage in Mountain Brook Village while the parade proceeds along Cahaba Road, Culver Road and Petticoat Lane, said Suzan Doidge, Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce executive director.

“We’ll have about 2,500 spectators and up to 1,000 parade participants, including 12 floats, sports and dance teams, and lots of children,” said Doidge. “While Macy’s has their great big balloons, we have the Mayfield Cow.”

Meg and Craig Krawczyk and daughters Alice Kate, Emily and Margaret never miss the parade and traditionally claim a spot near the stage to get a good view.

“I really like to watch the girls dance and waving to Santa,” said Emily, 8, a 2nd grader at Crestline Elementary School.  “It all just makes me so happy.”

Unlike her sister, Margaret, 11, said she wasn’t always a big fan of the parade’s main man.

“I used to be afraid of Santa but now I really like him,” said Margaret, a Crestline Elementary fifth-grader.  “It’s wonderful to see all my friends, watch all the people in the parade and the stage entertainment.  We have a great time.”

Joseph Spencer, 8, and son of Meredith and Jay, is also a Santa Claus fan, saying he is “funny, really nice and makes me smile.” 

“But I also think about his presents and I’m going to ask Santa for golf clubs this year,” the Crestline Elementary second-grader said.  “And when I think about the presents I think that the Wise Men gave gifts to Jesus and Santa gives presents to us to remind us that Jesus was born.” 

Word of Feagin’s success as Santa’s stand-in has spread and he’s played the role at other events including the Ronald McDonald House Birmingham Christmas Party, to which he’s escorted by U.S. Secret Service Agents from the Birmingham office volunteering their time.

“That’s quite an experience because they are complete with the dark suits, sunglasses, earpieces and SUVs,” he said.

At 73, Feagin said he’s “got some more good years left” but is on the lookout for another volunteer who will be just the right fit because, while “having a white beard isn’t required, a personality that lets you have fun with it all is.”

“You have to be ready for the younger kids’ questions like, ‘where are the reindeer’ or ‘why are you here so early,’ but at the same time a discussion with older children who let you know they know you’re not the real Santa,” Feagin said.  “And remember to always stress that they have to go to bed early on Christmas Eve and, most importantly that Santa loves chocolate chip cookies.”

Visit welcometomountainbrook.com for more information about the parade.

This story was edited on Dec. 3 to remove an incorrect comment from a source regarding the grand marshal for the Mountain Brook Holiday Parade.