It’s the busiest time of the year for Collingwood’s Santa Claus.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we sat down with Bill Nicholson, former carpenter and Collingwood’s Santa Claus.
Q: When did you come to Collingwood?
A: Dad moved my family up to Collingwood in 1966. I was in Grade 12 and I was driving, so I was probably 17 or 18.
Q: What were your impressions of Collingwood at that time when you moved up?
A: Oh, I loved it. It had everything here that I wanted. I loved skiing. I did a bit of duck hunting, so I’d go down to White’s Bay and I’d duck hunt. I just loved the area itself.
Q: You also were a carpenter. What led you into that career path?
A: Well, during summers between school I’d work for construction companies and help out. I am the sixth straight generation of carpenter in my family, and my son is now the seventh.
It’s gratifying when you work with your hands. You can see your progress come along and at the end of the day (be able to see) what you did that day.
It’s not like some office job where you work and work and you don’t see the results for a year.
Q: For how long have you played Santa in Collingwood? Can you tell me how that came about?
A: It’s been approximately 30 years.
When I started out, I was asked by Canadian Mist if I could be their Santa because their Santa was sick that day.
So I donned the suit and I had a lot of fun.
Later on I was doing a few small private parties, and the Collingwood parade needed a Santa, so I volunteered. I’ve been doing that ever since.
It’s always been a lot of fun.
The sleigh I sit in outside of town hall? The movie The Long Kiss Goodnight was filmed in Collingwood (in the early 1990s), they had that sleigh in the movie and were racing down the main street with Geena Davis sitting in the sleigh. People were following her in a Mustang shooting at her.
When they finished the movie, they left the sleigh behind. We fixed it up and it’s used by Santa every year.
Q: What is it about playing Santa that really appeals to you?
A: Oh, the look in children’s eyes. When I’m sitting up in that sleigh, I try to look directly into the children’s eyes and talk to them as if there’s nobody else around.
It’s just that connection you get with a child.
I have children of all ages who want to sit on my knee.
Q: Are you retired?
A: I haven’t operated my carpentry business for a while now.
I was the construction manager for Habitat for Humanity, but we finished that project so I’ve been laid off.
Right now, I’m enjoying all my Santa visits. I’ve had about 50 visits this year. I go to the legion, Hospice Georgian Triangle, nursing homes, day cares, different visits all over.
I only have 13 left to do before Christmas.
For our feature People of Collingwood, we’ll be speaking with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way. This feature will run on CollingwoodToday every Saturday. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
