Santa Claus is having a great time in Strathmore

Times Reporter      

 

Santa Claus can be found year round in Strathmore. He shops at our local shops, enjoys attending the Strathmore Stampede and even delivers the Strathmore Times weekly to various locations in town. Jerry Bizot has been Santa for over 30 years. It began with him knocking on windows yelling ‘Merry Christmas’ and it soon became part of who he is daily. 

“It’s a year round thing,” said Bizot. 

The role of Santa wasn’t always a full time event for Bizot. In the beginning, on Christmas Eve, after his family had dinner, he would change into his Santa suit and head out to different houses in the community.

“People would leave their presents outside and we would put them in the bag and bring them in,” said Bizot. 

He would wear a fake beard at first, then opted to grow his own, dying it with Mrs. Bluing. 

“All of a sudden it just went white, natural white,” said Bizot. 

Around 10 years ago Bizot’s wife Jean joined him, taking on the role of Mrs. Claus each year. Together the duo makes appearances around town, and in Calgary, going wherever they are requested. The Bizots don’t have a set rate they ask for, telling people to instead pay what they can afford to. For them it is not about the money, but is instead about spreading the joy of the holiday season. 

“The look on the kid’s faces is priceless. They’re in the stage where they either believe or not believe, some of them will take a double take and say ‘well are you for real’ and I say what do you think?” said Bizot.

“We’re having a great time doing it, we enjoy it. We both do.”