SYLACAUGA, Ala. – It’s a busy time of year, but that hasn’t slowed down Santa Claus from making several appearances in Sylacauga recently. Besides the usual stops at the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade and the Christmas tree lighting at City Hall, Santa has been a familiar and cheerful presence around town, spreading Christmas magic wherever he goes.
But this Santa Claus isn’t just any Santa Claus. He’s one with deep roots in the Sylacauga community, a big heart for giving back, and a knack for making the season extra special. Donning his red suit and snowy beard, he runs his own local business, Santa Magic, a year-round operation dedicated to creating unforgettable holiday moments while also lending a helping hand to those in need.
Recently, Santa teamed up with Southern Smiles of Sylacauga and Dr. Rick Redmond to stroll through downtown Sylacauga, delivering warm smiles, hearty laughs, and a touch of Christmas cheer to local businesses and residents. From waving to passersby on Broadway Avenue to stopping for photos with excited children, Santa’s presence was a reminder that the true magic of Christmas lies in connection and joy.
Yet, as busy as Santa has been with appearances, it’s his dedication to giving back to the community that truly shines. In a recent interview on MIX 106.5, The Christmas Station, Santa spoke with morning show host Michael Brannon about his love for Sylacauga and the people who make it so special.
“Mrs. Claus and I moved here many years ago,” Santa shared. “Our family, our children, and my granddaughters live here. We love this city so much that we decided to stay.”
And Sylacauga is lucky he did. It all began with a simple favor for Carol Sprayberry of the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation. When Santa first arrived in town, Sprayberry discovered that the real Santa Claus had moved into the neighborhood and wasted no time enlisting him for a local event.
“I said yes, we’ll come over and do that for you,” Santa recalled. “And from there, we just began to go almost from house to house, raising money for the ARC here in town.”
That was nearly 15 years ago. Since then, Santa has grown his appearances into opportunities to give back to multiple organizations, including the Sylacauga Police Department, the Sylacauga Animal Shelter, the South Talladega County ARC, and the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation. From funding critical resources to spreading awareness, Santa and his Santa Magic business have become synonymous with generosity and goodwill.
“We serve where we can,” he explained during the interview. “Where you can’t serve, and you have the resources, invest in the things that they are doing. Help wherever you can.”
Santa’s packed schedule reflects his passion for community involvement. From appearances at Majestic Caverns to performances at the Rainwater Museum and Sylacauga Rec Center, Santa’s calendar is as full as his gift bag. He even manages to squeeze in stops at Heritage South Credit Union and other local landmarks to ensure every corner of Sylacauga gets a dose of Christmas cheer.
And for the nearly 500 students at Indian Valley Elementary School, Santa delivered an unforgettable surprise on Tuesday morning with an air-lift visit to pick up their letters to Santa.
“It was an important stop on my schedule,” Santa said. “A lot of the students had not sent in their letters yet, so I scheduled a stop in Sylacauga. We had a bit of trouble with the sleigh, so the Lifesaver Helicopter crew stepped up to help, along with their fellow first responders in the area.”
Wade Pruitt, Manager of the Sylacauga Municipal Airport, was the mastermind behind the plan.
“I remembered as a kid that a Birmingham helicopter pilot made such stops with Santa around the region,” Pruitt explained. “I talked with our Lifesaver 4 crew, and they said they’d be happy to join the project, as they suggested getting other area first responders involved, too. I’m so glad that everything came together, and the weather cooperated for a quite unique experience for the kids.”
Sylacauga Superintendent Dr. Michele Eller was also present for the big moment. “Things like this are why I came to Sylacauga in the first place – so many community partnerships coming together for the good of the community. Just look at all the smiles!”
Sylacauga City Councilman and PTO Mom Laura Barlow Heath echoed the sentiment. “Such a magical time for our students, a time for smiles and joy to be treasured as lifetime memories,” she said.
Of course, no Christmas season would be complete without a little humor from the jolly man himself. When asked about his favorite Christmas Eve cookie, Santa didn’t hesitate:
“My favorite cookie is the one I’m holding in my hand,” he said with a hearty laugh. “It really doesn’t matter what kind it is. I love them all.”
As Santa prepares for his busiest night of the year, his message to Sylacauga is clear: Christmas is about more than gifts under the tree. It’s about showing up, spreading love, and giving back to the people and places that matter most.
