North Plains Elephant Garlic Festival shared Loch Lolly Christmas Forest's status update. ... See MoreSee Less

Loch Lolly news article on our Santa Not every man is called to be Santa Claus, but when you have a long beard and belly that “shakes when you laugh like a bowl full of jelly,” sometimes the opportunity comes to you. That’s the story for Santa Bob, whose Santa career started 20 years ago, back when coworkers suggested he don the red suit and visit students at Beaverton Acres Elementary. “Once you have a Santa suit, everyone wants you,” Santa Bob chuckled. As the requests for Santa appearances grew, however, it meant less time for family traditions. At his wife’s request, the suit remained in the closet for 15 years. Santa Bob took up a job as a TriMet driver. It was different than what he imagined for his career, but it allowed him to talk with people, and for that, he’s thankful. When one of his passengers, a Santa at Washington Square Mall, suggested he apply for Santa jobs, it put the twinkle back in the jolly old elf. Breakfast with Santa Bob What: Breakfast with Santa Bob at Loch Lolly Christmas Forest When: 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 Where: Loch Lolly Christmas Forest at 28366 N.W. Dorland Rd. in North Plains Information: Call 503-647-2619 to RSVP by Dec. 4. Proceeds from the breakfast support the Kyron Horman Foundation. More Santa: Santa Bob will be at Loch Lolly Christmas Forgest beginning Friday, Nov. 29 and will return on weekends until Dec. 15. In 2007, he attended a two-day workshop by the International University of Santa Claus where he learned about the Santa history and Santa should- and should-nots. After receiving his certificate, Santa Bob started traveling to Loch Lolly Christmas Forest in North Plains, where he returns each year to visit with children and their families. Before the start of his busy holiday season, Santa Bob took the time to share some of his story, for those interested in learning more than what’s described in Clement C. Moore’s classic poem, commonly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Santa Bob said the trip from the North Pole to the Northwest isn’t too shabby. The biggest challenge is transitioning from snow to all the rain. Once he and the reindeer make it to Loch Lolly, he said the cozy barn feels just like home. He parks his antique sleigh on the porch of the Loch Lolly gift shop, waiting to greet children and their families who are on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. For those curious about Santa’s red attire, he said it’s a tradition that began with the Coca Cola advertisements featuring Santa that came out in 1931. Santa Bob’s suit was custom made by his neighbor, which he reports keeps him nice and warm, even in the fiercest of snowstorms. Thanks to multi-dimensional time travel, Santa Bob said he can travel all over the world in a single night. While it’s no easy task, he enjoys every minute of the journey, especially the chocolate chip cookies children leave for him. For that, Santa Bob offers many thanks and “Ho, Ho, Hos.” When it’s not the Christmas season, Santa Bob and Mrs. Claus like to lounge around, but in today’s economic environment, he said he has kept his other job as a bus driver. Who knew all those years of driving a sleigh would have prepared him so well! Santa Bob, gets ready for action at Loch Lolly Tree Farm in North Plains. While Christmastime remains a busy time for Santa Bob, he said the spirit of giving and receiving is something that should be practiced and embraced year-round. “The message I try to share with kids is to always be good,” Santa Bob said. “Be good to yourselves and others. Do what feels good and think what feels good.” Santa Bob arrives at Loch Lolly Christmas Forest beginning Nov. 29 and will return on weekends until Dec. 15. Loch Lolly is located at 28366 N.W. Dorland Rd. in North Plains. For more information, call 503-647-2619. -- Taylor Smith

Loch Lolly Christmas Forest

2 weeks ago