Meet Sam Mullis, one of our volunteers at the Cabarrus Arts Council. Most people around here know Sam as Santa Sam. As a professional Santa Claus, thousands of kids have whispered in his ear requests for their most coveted toy. Most of the time, that means a puppy, a kitten, a reindeer and on occasion, a snake.
“I check with mom whenever a child asks for a reptile,” said Sam.
Sam appears at Bass Pro Shop, the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum and plenty of other public places. He also stands in for the real St. Nicholas in children’s professional portraits.
He takes the job very seriously, and has learned the techniques to playing Santa through a series of professional Santa classes. The tricks to the trade are more surprising than you’d realize.
“They taught us at Santa school to be very careful with the booming Ho Ho Ho. It frightens some children,” said Sam. “I use my regular laugh.”
Sam will don his black boots and Santa suit at the Cabarrus Arts Council (65 Union Street S.), December 7 from 3-5 p.m. for Cookies with Santa, a free activity for children. Parents: bring your camera and avoid the long lines to Santa Claus in the malls this year. For more information, visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org or call 704-920-2787.
