Event Name:
Santa Paula Holiday Parade
Event Type(s):
Member Event
Chamber Events
Heritage Valley YPG
Chamber Events
Heritage Valley YPG
Description:
Santa Paula Holiday Parade First To Feature Deaf Santa Claus
The 72nd running of the Santa Paula Holiday Parade will be headlined by Deaf Santa Claus, who is
traveling directly from the North Pole to participate in the holiday festivities. This year’s parade
theme is “A Celebration for All.” The Grand Marshal will be David Gillette.
Organized by John Marquez, the executive director of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, the
Santa Paula Holiday parade always has Santa Claus as the grand finale. “We couldn’t imagine
hosting our Holiday parade without Santa Claus. When we learned that Santa Claus is now Deaf, we
didn’t think any less of his ability to inspire the thousands of people who turn out to our Holiday
parade. In fact we thought the opposite, our parade is the perfect showcase for his abilities. We are
excited to bring our community together for this great event on Small Business Saturday and to
honor all the wonderful businesses and restaurants that make our historic downtown Santa Paula
vibrant. Be sure to stop by to shop and eat in Santa Paula before and after the parade”.
It appears likely that the Santa Paula Holiday parade is the first parade anywhere in the country - if
not the world - to feature a Santa Claus with a disability. “Inclusion is a core value of our city and
what better way to demonstrate the ability to do anything you set your mind to, in spite of different
abilities than to have Deaf Santa Claus carry this message? Of course Deaf Santa Claus is worthy of
representing our city in our parade,” explains Marquez. More than 80% of the Santa Paula
population is Hispanic, many of whom raise their children to be bilingual, just as Deaf Santa Claus
has with his own daughter.
Over 2% of the population is deaf or hard of hearing and American Sign Language (ASL) is the 3rd
most studied language in the United States, behind Spanish and French. A bilingual Santa Claus
has tremendous benefits to all, not just for Deaf children or those who know ASL.
Deaf Santa Claus is represented by Anthony Mowl, who is the father of a 5th generation Deaf
daughter and had the opportunity to meet Deaf Santa Claus during Christmas of 2021. “Growing up,
there was always something magical about meeting Santa Claus, and my parents always made sure
to take me and my brother and sister to go meet Santa Claus each year,” explains Anthony. “Many
times when we met Santa Claus, we had limited interactions because Santa Claus himself did not
know ASL. For the first few years of her life, my daughter had a similar experience to mine, which is
different compared to kids who are hearing. I’ve met Santa Claus dozens of times, but the first time I
had a conversation with him in ASL was the most special Christmas memory of my life. Every child
deserves to visit with Santa Claus in the same way they see themselves; every person should feel
worthy for who they are.”
Deaf Santa Claus is looking forward to coming to Santa Paula this holiday season. “I am fortunate to
have the opportunity to meet millions of children each year, and it’s inspiring to know that the city of
Santa Paula recognizes the value of being able to connect directly with someone in their native
language. Too many children are not seen for who they are and aspire to be, and this is the
connection I strive to make with every individual I meet. What each of us can do - Santa Claus or not
- is make that person feel seen and valued. Santa Paula is doing their part in creating a new kind of
Christmas miracle.”
The Santa Paula Holiday parade is scheduled to take place on November 26th, the Saturday after
the Thanksgiving Holiday in downtown Santa Paula (869 E Main Street). The parade will start at
approximately 6:30pm and is free to all. Shopping, food and other family friendly activities will be
available in downtown Santa Paula to help kick off the holiday season.
The 72nd running of the Santa Paula Holiday Parade will be headlined by Deaf Santa Claus, who is
traveling directly from the North Pole to participate in the holiday festivities. This year’s parade
theme is “A Celebration for All.” The Grand Marshal will be David Gillette.
Organized by John Marquez, the executive director of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, the
Santa Paula Holiday parade always has Santa Claus as the grand finale. “We couldn’t imagine
hosting our Holiday parade without Santa Claus. When we learned that Santa Claus is now Deaf, we
didn’t think any less of his ability to inspire the thousands of people who turn out to our Holiday
parade. In fact we thought the opposite, our parade is the perfect showcase for his abilities. We are
excited to bring our community together for this great event on Small Business Saturday and to
honor all the wonderful businesses and restaurants that make our historic downtown Santa Paula
vibrant. Be sure to stop by to shop and eat in Santa Paula before and after the parade”.
It appears likely that the Santa Paula Holiday parade is the first parade anywhere in the country - if
not the world - to feature a Santa Claus with a disability. “Inclusion is a core value of our city and
what better way to demonstrate the ability to do anything you set your mind to, in spite of different
abilities than to have Deaf Santa Claus carry this message? Of course Deaf Santa Claus is worthy of
representing our city in our parade,” explains Marquez. More than 80% of the Santa Paula
population is Hispanic, many of whom raise their children to be bilingual, just as Deaf Santa Claus
has with his own daughter.
Over 2% of the population is deaf or hard of hearing and American Sign Language (ASL) is the 3rd
most studied language in the United States, behind Spanish and French. A bilingual Santa Claus
has tremendous benefits to all, not just for Deaf children or those who know ASL.
Deaf Santa Claus is represented by Anthony Mowl, who is the father of a 5th generation Deaf
daughter and had the opportunity to meet Deaf Santa Claus during Christmas of 2021. “Growing up,
there was always something magical about meeting Santa Claus, and my parents always made sure
to take me and my brother and sister to go meet Santa Claus each year,” explains Anthony. “Many
times when we met Santa Claus, we had limited interactions because Santa Claus himself did not
know ASL. For the first few years of her life, my daughter had a similar experience to mine, which is
different compared to kids who are hearing. I’ve met Santa Claus dozens of times, but the first time I
had a conversation with him in ASL was the most special Christmas memory of my life. Every child
deserves to visit with Santa Claus in the same way they see themselves; every person should feel
worthy for who they are.”
Deaf Santa Claus is looking forward to coming to Santa Paula this holiday season. “I am fortunate to
have the opportunity to meet millions of children each year, and it’s inspiring to know that the city of
Santa Paula recognizes the value of being able to connect directly with someone in their native
language. Too many children are not seen for who they are and aspire to be, and this is the
connection I strive to make with every individual I meet. What each of us can do - Santa Claus or not
- is make that person feel seen and valued. Santa Paula is doing their part in creating a new kind of
Christmas miracle.”
The Santa Paula Holiday parade is scheduled to take place on November 26th, the Saturday after
the Thanksgiving Holiday in downtown Santa Paula (869 E Main Street). The parade will start at
approximately 6:30pm and is free to all. Shopping, food and other family friendly activities will be
available in downtown Santa Paula to help kick off the holiday season.
Event Date:
11/26/2022
Event Time:
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Pacific
Location:
Contact Person:
John Marquez
(phone: 805-525-5561)
(phone: 805-525-5561)
Outlook/ vCalendar/ Google:
Click on the icon next to the date(s) to add to your calendar:
11/26/2022
11/26/2022
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