by Celeste McCauley
Meet Jon W. Sparks, a Memphis-based writer and actor who has dedicated himself to portraying ol’ Saint Nick. (Photos by Karen Pulfer Focht)
Memphis-based writer and actor Jon W. Sparks landed the role of Santa on the Polar Express Train Ride in New Orleans in 2016. Since then, he has played Santa every year. Or as one of the children he’s met said, “You’re Santa’s helper.”
Jon trims his beard, and “Mrs. Claus” (Jon’s wife, Maritza) makes sure his suit isn’t wrinkled, his boots are shined and his hat is on just right. “White gloves,” Jon says, “are a must.”
What does Jon do if someone has the blues? “A good Santa understands people have sadness in their lives. My job is to spread joy and kindness.”
“One time a boy with disabilities made a big booklet of Santa drawings and writings and said I had to have it,” Jon says. “It was hard to hold back my tears. Santa gets quite a bit out of these meetings too.”
“The first duty of Santa is to children and how you relate to them,” Jon says. Many of his youngest visitors stare at him in wonder. Some older ones are so excited, they either can’t stop talking or are speechless.
Jon often prays before stepping out as Santa. “Santa has to be connected to all of humanity. Children are the purest forms of that humanity,” he says. “I pray for strength to react well to any situation or question.”
“Christmas is so much for the kids and about getting things, but it’s also about giving. Whenever we can get that message across, it’s good,” says Jon, pictured here at Cedar Hill Farm in Hernando, Mississippi.
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Click on a picture to enjoy more inspiring photos and stories.
Click on a picture to enjoy more inspiring photos and stories.