Santa Stories

For nearly 20 years, the City of Sierra Vista has displayed 53 Old World Santas in Veterans Memorial Park each holiday season. In this episode, we share some of the stories tied to these Santas, both the original ones made out of wood and paint, and the new ones on display today that were recreated to stand the test of time.

[1:20] Former Mayor Tom Hessler and Artist Sue Ann Vannoy talk about creating the original Old World Santas display for the City’s 50th anniversary in 2006.

[27:01] Wesley and Donna Hewitt tell the story behind the Cookie Break Santa, which was sponsored in honor of City employee James Hodgson after he passed away.

[44:18] Amy Diesen shares how she sponsored the Weinachtsmann Santa in honor of her late son. The Weinachtsmann is one of the two latest Santas released as collectible ornaments.

[51:19] Jen Brown recounts how she became such an avid collector of the Old World Santas ornaments that her husband even made her a framed display.

[53:27] Steve Brown shares the story behind why his family sponsored the Swedish Tompte Santa in honor of Barbara Rydberg Brown, the great grandniece of Swedish Poet Laureat Viktor Rydberg, who authored the classic poem Tomten.