Photos of Santa Claus in Tucson through the years
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
- Updated
Ho-Ho-How about a look back at the many appearances jollyΒ Old St.Β Nick has made in the Old Pueblo over the years?Β
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Bill Perkins, longtime Santa for the at the La Frontera Foundation Festival of Trees, talks with his live in for the past 17 years, Barbara Perkins, as the two wait for children in 1997.
Santa Claus (Luis Leyva) arrived at the 27th annual 31st Street Christmas Party in 1997 as several thousand children came to the Christmas party to get their presents from Santa Claus.p
If Santa had his choice, he'd probably deliver gifts riding this snazzy Quintana Roo Private Reserve bicycle, as shown in 1998.
Santa and Mrs. Claus, winter visitors from the north (Canadian residents and Tucson snowbirds Mal and Joan Figley) greet kids at Wright Elementary School, Wednesday after the Claus's arrived by helicopter during the Annual Tucson Police Department Christmas and tree decorating party in 1998.
Caitlan Halligan and sister Erin Halligan get a big hug from Santa Claus at Park Mall in 2005.
Earl Timmons gets ready to begin his twelve hour day as Santa Claus at Tucson Mall in 2005.
Face time in 2005: Twins Emma, left, and Kayla Campbell, both 4, are all eyes, ears and hands with Santa Claus, aka Earl Timmons. Interaction with the children makes the long days worthwhile, Timmons says. "There is no way I would work 12-hour days of being Santa without the kids."
Spreading cheer in 2006. Retired oncologist Dr. John Hutter plays Santa Claus as heβs greeted by MJ Hutchins, 4, center, and Jaime Camacho, 3, who has had surgery to remove a brain tumor. The annual Candlelightersβ Holiday Party took place at RV Voyager Resort.
Ora Mae Harn and Mike Brummett as Mrs. and Mr. Claus at the Town of Marana Angels Among Us event in 2006. The group provides, food, clothing and presents to families and children through donations from other town employees.
Bobby Badertscher, left, 18, and Alex McKinney, 15, get their photo taken with Santa Claus during the Santastic Experience at Park Place Mall in 2007.
Andrina Melendez as Santa Claus waves to passing motorists as she sits on top of a red buffalo at the Copper Country Antiques at 5055 E. Speedway in 2008.
Halle Fisher sits on Santa Claus's lap at the Foothills Mall in 2009.
Richard Furst who served in the Marine Corps from 1968- 1970, gets a visit from Santa Claus at the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Healthcare hospital in 2009.
Chris Daws receives a hug from Santa Claus during the Country Christmas event at the Marana Health Center in 2011.
Ken Bembenek playing Santa Claus works patiently from distributing thousands of toys one at a time at Miracle en el Barrio in 2012.
Olivia Emery talks with Santa Claus as other children wait their turn after the annual Poet's Square Christmas Pageant in the Poet's Square neighborhood in 2012. The show has been presented in the neighborhood for 25 years.
Amayrani Quintero finds it all bit too much during her first visit with Santa Claus, played by Bubba Schwartz, for the Annual Tree Lighting Celebration at the Hilton Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort in 2013.
Wilbur gets into the Christmas spirit as he sports a Santa Claus outfit during at mea's basketball game at McKale Center in 2013.
Elijah Dimmick gets a candy cane during a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at a holiday party at Diamond Children's Center at Banner-UMC in 2014. Close to 50 kids, patients and visitors were treated to a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as "Elsa" from the movie "Frozen."
Santa Claus was on hand for photos during the 15th Miracle en El Barrio at St. John's Church in 2017.
Ashley Morales-Valles is a little shy as she meets Santa Claus during the annual Breakfast with Santa at the Gaslight Theater on December 12, 2018. The Fraternal Order of Police Tucson has been participating in this event for the past 16 years and has served as the primary sponsor for the last nine years. The organization raises money throughout the year and was able to provide 225 students with breakfast, coloring books, a blanket and raffle off 10 bikes.
Santa Claus waves at children from a distance during the 18th Miracle en el Barrio hosted at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families.
Santa and Mrs. Claus make their entrance through the dome of lights on the opening night of ZooLights at Reid Park Zoo in 2021.
Santa, 2020 Miss Pima County; Yara Solorzano, 2020 Miss Tucson; Divyne Arvizu and Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield lighting the tree at the Festival of the Arts and Holiday Tree Lighting in Oro Valley Marketplace on December 4, 2021.
A saxophone player for the University of Arizona band opts for the cool Santa look during the Wildcats game against Cal Baptist at McKale Center on December 18, 2021.
Nothing says Christmas like Santa Claus arriving on a wagon-load of gifts and being pulled by a couple of white mules in Tucson at West Roger and North Oracle Roads on Dec. 22, 1976. Santa came from North Pole by way of Phoenix on behalf of the Desert Troop Search and Rescue.Β
Who needs snow as Santa, a.k.a. John Singley, arrives at the Tucson-Pima Jaycees Christmas party located at the Arizona Training Programs at 4633 E. 29th St., while being pulled by five Siberian huskies on Dec. 21, 1974 in Tucson. The huskies are from the Tucson Huskie Club. The canines were lead by Bill Stoffers and driven by Carl Noggle.Β
Santa hands out gifts to Tohono O'odham children at the San Xavier Mission outside Tucson, on Dec. 22, 1977. Santa arrived via a Davis-Monthan helicopter as part of the Air Force's annual Santa in Blue event where he comes with about 100 toys for the children.
Dressed as Santa, Tucson city bus driver Jerry βTinyβ Richmond pretends he needs to hitchhike while he waits to get his bus fixed on Dec. 21, 1977 near South Pantano and East Kenyon Dr. Stranded with transmission trouble, Richmond waits for a tow truck to take the bus back to the shop.
Tucson city bus driver Jerry βTinyβ Richmond makes the most of a bad situation while he waits to get his bus fixed with the help of Leon Skelton on Dec. 21, 1977 near South Pantano and East Kenyon Dr. Stranded with transmission trouble, Richmond had to wait for Skelton. Unfortunately, the bus had to be towed back to the shop.
Rick Pavlo, who got paid by First National Bank to walk around as St. Nick, is for the most part, ignored as he pauses at North Stone Avenue and Pennington Street in downtown Tucson on Dec. 6, 1978. Pavloβs outfit was supplied by Jacomeβs Department Store.
Pedestrians watch as an inflatable Santa arrives along North Stone Avenue in the back of a small pickup truck on Dec. 20, 1973, in downtown Tucson.
Tucson city bus driver Jerry βTinyβ Richmond shows off one of the boxes of food he is delivering around the city on Dec. 23, 1976.
On a flight that took him from the El Con Mall to Kolb and 29th Street, Santa waves as flies the friendly skies over Tucson on Dec. 23, 1979.
Surrounded by children and adults alike, Santa arrives at El Con Mall bringing cheer and handing out candy in Tucson on Nov. 23, 1973.
Santa draws a crowd as he arrives with several helpers and riding a huskie-drawn sleigh at El Con Mall bringing cheer and handing out candy in Tucson on Nov. 23, 1973.
Surrounded by children and adults alike, Santa arrives at El Con Mall bringing cheer and handing out candy in Tucson on Nov. 23, 1973.Β
Disguised as a crossing guard, Santa Claus, a.k.a. Carl Fridena, helps students cross South Tucson Boulevard and East 18th Street on the last day of school before Christmas vacation on Dec. 15, 1978. It was the first time Fridena, 56, who is retired from the air force, dressed for the part.Β
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
