Shane Rhyne

The song of the week is a day late this week, but there’s a perfectly good explanation. I had to visit the North Pole yesterday to get some last minute instructions from my seasonal boss– Santa Claus.

You see, for the past ten years, I’ve been moonlighting as one of Santa’s helpers in Knoxville. I happily volunteer as the City of Knoxville’s Santa Claus at selected events during Knoxville’s “Christmas in the City” celebration.

Typically, this means I don the big red suit of joy in October for the city’s press conference announcing the upcoming events for November and December. Then I, along with my ever-patient beautiful bride, take on the role of Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the annual Regal Celebration of Lights in downtown Knoxville on the Friday after Thanksgiving and later in December at the Comcast Christmas at Chilhowee. (Although, this year, we will not be helping out the Claus’ at Chilhowee because of a scheduling conflict. One of Santa’s other helpers will be filling in this year.) I used to play Santa at the Sea Ray Christmas Boat parade until that part of the holiday celebration was discontinued.

I always say that helping Santa is the closest many of us can ever come to knowing what it feels like to be a rock star. When you step out into public there is a sudden halt to activity around you as everyone turns to look your way. People shout, wave, and try to touch you. Some rush forward to you and cry out your name. There is cheering and a few may lose bladder control. The psychic wave of cheer that rushes over you is completely worth the hours of picking up and putting down toddlers from my lap and the morning-after stiffness and aching muscles that accompany an evening such as last night’s celebration.

And, so in the spirit of the arrival of the Christmas season, this week’s song of the week is a reminder that Santa is on his way.