Wanted: Santa to help create theme park holiday

WILLIAMSBURG The weather outside was delightful, and the only thing frightful was the noise coming from park-goers riding the roller coasters at Busch Gardens.

But inside the audition room, a totally different sound was on the minds of the entertainment production staff -- the trademark "ho-ho-ho" of jolly Old St. Nick.

The production employees wanted to hear those holiday sounds as they searched for a rotund, bearded man to be Santa Claus for the theme park's newest attraction -- Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration.

For the first time in the park's 34-year history, visitors will experience all-new attractions, shows and shopping that share the holiday spirit. Beginning in late November, Busch Gardens will transform into a holiday wonderland, featuring more than 1 million twinkling lights and a 45-foot, light-animated Christmas tree.

Select rides, including dive coaster Griffon and the 3-D motion simulator ride Corkscrew Hill, will be available to guests of Christmas Town.

But yesterday's audition yielded just one aspiring Santa, 56-year-old Randall Stowe of Yorktown, who has been dressing as Santa for about five years and is known as the Santa Referee at youth wrestling matches.

Minus the traditional heavy red suit, Stowe sported a flowing white beard down his chest that he has been growing for more than two years.

While the turnout wasn't what organizers were expecting, the process to find the headliner for the park's holiday attraction is ongoing. The tryouts began in November.

The park just hasn't found that perfect Santa yet. It's an arduous task to find what Carrie Morgan believes will be the Santa to see in eastern Virginia.

"I think once the family walks into Santa's home . . . they will be just blown away by the environment," said Morgan, director of show productions at Busch Gardens.

"When he comes here, he's going to have quite the environment wrapped around him. I think he will be the Santa to see."

The park shuts down after Halloween, but having the wintry holiday attraction excites employees, park officials say. Each section of the park will be Christmas-themed, immersing visitors in the holiday spirit.

"Normally, after Halloween, the tumbleweeds start to roll through the park," said Scott Gasparich, vice president for entertainment at Busch Gardens. "You kind of look around and ask, 'Where did all the guests go?' I think it's perfect to extend the season."

Santa will have his workshop set up in the Germany section of Busch Gardens. He'll be available for photos with children, and he'll listen intently to their Christmas wish lists.

As the staff seeks the perfect Santa candidate, they will be looking for someone with "that largeness. Not only in size, but in attitude, that big booming voice . . . that envelops you and makes you feel warm and safe," Morgan said.

Busch Gardens hopes to have a Santa selected by October. There has been plenty of interest at previous auditions, Gasparich said.

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .