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This story is in my local paper today. I thought you all might like it. Happy holidays to all!
http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/F...2222005/154422
Originally posted by Free Lance Star
Office parties and holiday happenings abound at this time of year, and Santa Claus is often the star of the show. But the jolly old elf is certain to make a splash at one place in particular--Lady Bird Johnson Park in Arlington.
Santa will make his annual Christmas Eve appearance there, perched on water skis and pulled along the Potomac behind a power boat.
The event, now in its 20th year, was the brainchild of an Alexandria businessman, who chooses to be identified only as "Kriss Kringle." He insists on anonymity, saying he organizes the event purely to spread the spirit of the season.
"I guess what happened is that night we had too much reindeer juice," he said about the birth of the soggy Christmas Eve event. "The next thing you know we were in the water."
It was raining and near freezing during that first show in 1986, which featured a single Santa pulled behind one lonely boat. But the event has grown in size and popularity year after year, drawing an array of news crews and becoming what "Kringle" calls a "media blitz."
This year's extravaganza will include Santa, of course, plus nine knee-boarding reindeer, flying elves, a full-costumed jet-skiing Grinch and more.
In the name of entertainment, the Christmas-themed characters brave near-freezing temperatures and subject themselves to even colder water.
"We've had it as cold as frozen," said "Kringle," who, along with others in the show, submerges himself in order to make a deep-water start. "We begin by being freezing."
On shore, caroling Candy Cane Kids will sing holiday classics. Costumed characters in the form of the nation's favorite giant panda cub, Tai Shan, and Frosty the Snowman, will make an appearance. In all, more than 30 people will take part in this year's presentation.
During a patriotic finale, all of the show's characters will make a final pass along the water, waving American flags as they whiz by.
"We certainly want to show our alliance and our support of our country and our troops," "Kringle" said.
As entertaining as the show is for spectators, he said, he and his crew get a bigger kick out of the Christmastime adventure.
"It's so funny to be in Santa's slot in this, to see hundreds of people just laughing their heads off," he said. "It is so rewarding."
WHAT: Water-skiing Santa and knee-boarding reindeer
WHERE: Columbia Island Marina in Lady Bird Johnson Park, George Washington Parkway, Arlington
WHEN: Christmas Eve, noon-1:30 p.m.
COST: Free
INFO: 703/354-9181
FYI: Although the show might not start until a little later, organizers suggest spectators arrive by at least 12:30 p.m., because once it starts, the show goes quickly. The event will be held rain, snow or shine.
Santa will make his annual Christmas Eve appearance there, perched on water skis and pulled along the Potomac behind a power boat.
The event, now in its 20th year, was the brainchild of an Alexandria businessman, who chooses to be identified only as "Kriss Kringle." He insists on anonymity, saying he organizes the event purely to spread the spirit of the season.
"I guess what happened is that night we had too much reindeer juice," he said about the birth of the soggy Christmas Eve event. "The next thing you know we were in the water."
It was raining and near freezing during that first show in 1986, which featured a single Santa pulled behind one lonely boat. But the event has grown in size and popularity year after year, drawing an array of news crews and becoming what "Kringle" calls a "media blitz."
This year's extravaganza will include Santa, of course, plus nine knee-boarding reindeer, flying elves, a full-costumed jet-skiing Grinch and more.
In the name of entertainment, the Christmas-themed characters brave near-freezing temperatures and subject themselves to even colder water.
"We've had it as cold as frozen," said "Kringle," who, along with others in the show, submerges himself in order to make a deep-water start. "We begin by being freezing."
On shore, caroling Candy Cane Kids will sing holiday classics. Costumed characters in the form of the nation's favorite giant panda cub, Tai Shan, and Frosty the Snowman, will make an appearance. In all, more than 30 people will take part in this year's presentation.
During a patriotic finale, all of the show's characters will make a final pass along the water, waving American flags as they whiz by.
"We certainly want to show our alliance and our support of our country and our troops," "Kringle" said.
As entertaining as the show is for spectators, he said, he and his crew get a bigger kick out of the Christmastime adventure.
"It's so funny to be in Santa's slot in this, to see hundreds of people just laughing their heads off," he said. "It is so rewarding."
WHAT: Water-skiing Santa and knee-boarding reindeer
WHERE: Columbia Island Marina in Lady Bird Johnson Park, George Washington Parkway, Arlington
WHEN: Christmas Eve, noon-1:30 p.m.
COST: Free
INFO: 703/354-9181
FYI: Although the show might not start until a little later, organizers suggest spectators arrive by at least 12:30 p.m., because once it starts, the show goes quickly. The event will be held rain, snow or shine.
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