Santas coming early to Indiana town to sign oath

[October 13, 2008]  SANTA CLAUS, Ind. (AP) -- The grandsons of Santa Claus are coming to town.

The descendants of two of the more famous men to don Santa Claus suits plan to meet Sunday in Santa Claus, Ind., to sign a new oath for other jolly gift-givers.

Charles Bergeman is the grandson of Charles Howard, a famous Santa from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Will Koch is the grandson of Jim Yellig, who is considered the "Santa Claus" of the Indiana town bearing the same name.

The Evansville Courier & Press says the oath includes a promise to create happiness, spread love and make dreams come to life in the tradition of St. Nick.

It will be administered to every Kris Kringle attending the Celebrate Santa Convention in Gatlinburg, Tenn., in March.

[Associated Press]

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