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For a kid, can you imagine the excitement of seeing Santa descend from the sky in a sleigh with reindeer leading the way? Well, for one particular Christmas-time event, Santa opted to keep his sleigh parked at the North Pole, choosing to pilot a helicopter instead.
It was December 1963, and Ralph was working as a helicopter flight instructor and salesman for Caribbees Copters at the San Jose Municipal Airport. His boss, BA, owned a shopping center in the area, and he came up with a brilliant marketing idea: Why not have Santa Claus visit the shopping center, flying in by helicopter?
“Ok! We’re ready! Just have Santa Claus come out,” Ralph said. But who would play Santa?
BA responded: “You. YOU are the Santa Claus. Let’s dress you up!”
Ralph was onboard with the idea (literally). He got suited up as the Jolly Old Elf himself with a bag full of candy in hand to throw out to the kids. The Santa Claus stunt was such a success that he did this at two other shopping centers that year and for a few years after that. And thankfully Ralph’s kids, who were in attendance at one event close to their home, heeded his warning: “Don’t you dare say, ‘Hi, Dad!’ when I show up!”
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Source: From conversations with Ralph and Ella recorded on 30 Mar 2017 and 2 Dec 2017
