Playing Santa suits him well
Playing Santa Claus isn't as easy at it looks. But Greg DeVos has done an outstanding job looking and playing the part for nearly 30 years.
The majority of the time spent dressing as Jolly Old St. Nick includes bringing joy to children and himself. But there have also been times when playing Santa Clause has tug at DeVos' heartstrings.
"I had a little girl sit on my lap and when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said that she wanted her grandma to make it for Christmas," said DeVos in a somber voice. "I assume her grandma was in poor health.”
"Another time I had a little boy ask that his dad, who was a soldier in Afghanistan, would make it home safely. You're not always prepared for things like that. You just have to be honest and tell the kids you can't promise anything, but you hope that they get what they want."
DeVos has also had children wet or vomit n him during their visits.
"That's why I have a dry cleaner on call," he laughs.
For the most part, though, DeVos gets a thrill dressing as Santa Claus and seeing the children's faces light up with wide smiles.
"I really enjoy this," he said. "This is Christmas for me."
DeVos, who works for D & G Excavating and also farms part-time east of Ghent, began playing Santa Claus 27 years ago when another man playing Santa for the Knights of Columbus who was from St. Cloud elected to hang up his suit.
In DeVos' favor was that he had turned prematurely gray, so the Knight of Columbus asked if he would be interested in stepping into the role.
"My wife (Sheryl) and I had twin daughters and that will turn anyone's hair gray," DeVos joked.
The twins, Denaca and Deanna, turned 29 this past Saturday. The DeVos' also have two older sons, Derek and Devin.
DeVos readily agreed to fill in as Santa Claus for the Knight of Columbus the following year, wearing a Santa suit borrowed from Schwan's in Marshall.
"I really had fun," he said about his first role as Santa Claus. "So I decided to buy my own Santa suit. We ordered one from Sears that cost nearly $1,000. It was such good quality that I'm still wearing it after 20-some years. When I take it into the dry cleaners, they tell me it is still in really good shape."DeVos has dressed up as Santa Claus for Christmas parties, business events, school and church programs. daycares and private homes. In all, he figures he has worn the suit "at least 200 times."
"I usually am playing Santa Claus somewhere on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," he noted. "My family usually has our Christmas meal in the evening on Christmas Day because I am playing Santa somewhere. But they understand that this is what Christmas is to me."
DeVos has a full gray beard, dons wire-rimmed glasses and his jolly laugh makes him the perfect Santa Claus.
"I really enjoy talking to all the kids," he said. "It makes we feel so good to see them wave and smile."
DeVos rode on a Minneota fire truck on chilly and windy Friday night for a Santa Parade through town. He stood just behind the cab and waved and shouted "Merry Christmas" to the many children, parents and grandparents standing on the street corners.
The fire department decided to hold a "Santa Parade" because so many holiday events have been cancelled due to the pandemic, including children being able to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas.
"I miss that part," said DeVos, referring to being able to talk one-on-one with the kids.
And Santa's understudy has had some interesting requests over the years.
"Usually the kids ask for the same thing; whatever is popular that year," DeVos said. "But I've had kids ask for a million dollars or a new car, too."
Perhaps the kids got a little help from Mom and Dad.