“Ho Ho Ho!” Santa Jay said to the children waiting to get their photo taken as they whispered what they hoped to get for Christmas this year and grab on his white, fluffy beard.
Jay Randolph, 64, also known as Santa Jay around the holiday season, brought Christmas spirit to the Oxford Community Arts Center Dec. 2.
The OCAC planned activities for the whole community. Talawanda Band Boosters coordinated the artisan craft market. Along with a visit from Santa, children could stop by the craft corner for face paint and reindeer crowns. The Flowing Grace School of Dance students performed in the auditorium throughout the event.
While many of the crafters are resident OCAC artists, others without a storefront use this opportunity to reach a larger customer base.
“It’s homemade or quality made items that people can feel good about supporting the arts and supporting local crafters when they’re buying a gift for their loved ones or friends,” said Heidi Schiller, the executive director of the OCAC.
On their way to meet Santa, families walked past the entrance of the Brant Ballroom through the village of enchanted dwellings crafted by Lee Baker DeVore, an Oxford resident and Miami University grad. She transforms natural materials: sticks, stones and mud to create magical elf and fairy cottages.
“It’s a good venue and it’s a good cause so I’ve done pretty well here in the past,” said DeVore, now retired, who said she appreciated the convenience of selling her art locally.
As Santa made his grand entrance, a line of families wrapped around the outdoor porch.
Randolph said he began working as a professional Santa in 2009 after witnessing a mall Santa yell and take off his beard which upset all the children. He operates an at home church called the South Carolina Wedding Chapel in Cincinnati and noted ministry and Santa have more in common than people think.
“These are jobs that there’s just no way you’re gonna get paid what you should actually get paid,” said Randolph. “You have to have a love for that trade or else you’re gonna be miserable and if you’re miserable you’re gonna pass that onto everyone else.”
Because he loves children and fits Santa’s description, he dedicated himself to bringing Christmas magic to his grandchildren and the local churches. Since 2009, he’s increased the number of jobs booked while benefiting from a little extra income around the holidays.
Randolph said he thinks every child deserves to have a good childhood and his role as Santa can hopefully help that come true.
“I didn’t come from a rich family,” said Randolph. “Everything we needed we had, but we didn’t have everything we wanted.”
“For somebody who enjoys children, Santa Claus is a blessing,” said Randolph.
