One December afternoon in 2013, Jim MacLean and Ted Pate were cleaning out a dusty shed when they unearthed a rather disheveled, weatherworn plastic Santa lawn decoration. At first glance, the aging Santa was destined for the trash—where he did, in fact, end up. Little did anyone suspect that this humble, tossed-aside decoration would soon launch one of Winslow’s most heartwarming holiday traditions.
Later that same day, MacLean couldn’t resist the whimsical pull of the plastic figure. So, he retrieved the Santa from the trash and wrote a short, playful poem to accompany and returned the Santa to Ted and Patty Pate on Christmas Eve. With that note pinned to his bright red suit, Santa embarked on an impromptu tour of Winslow.
Santa’s first stops were among friends at First Baptist Church, where Ted, Patty, and MacLean regularly attend. From there, his journey took on a life of its own, as he was passed secretly under cover of night from one doorstep to another, making surprise appearances that delighted children and adults alike. By Christmas Eve of that year, he had graced a remarkable 35 different homes before finally returning to the Pate household—right on time.
But his travels were far from over. In subsequent years, the fun continued. Ted Pate sent Santa back out into the community, creating a lively and highly anticipated holiday tradition. The story spread, new Santa figures were donated, and a Snowman soon joined the fun. This year, a record-breaking six figures (five Santas and one Snowman) are making the rounds, bringing smiles to neighbors old and new.
What started as a small-scale joke has grown into a beloved community event. Residents have rallied around it with such enthusiasm that “Santa Travels – Winslow, AZ,” a dedicated Facebook page, was created. There, locals can follow Santa’s whereabouts through photographs and cheerful stories. Those lucky enough to find Santa (or the Snowman) on their doorstep are encouraged to snap a photo, share it on Facebook, and quickly pass him along to another home.
In 2013, Santa visited 35 homes; in 2014, 80; and in 2015, 82. There were some issues in 2016, and by 2017 the figure must have returned to the North Pole because it was lost. A new Santa made it to 42 homes in 2018, followed by 26 in 2019, 32 in 2020, and 27 in 2021. In 2022, two figures traveled to 45 and 60 homes, and in 2023 they reached 53 and 34. This year is expected to be even bigger. The Facebook page now boasts over 700 followers and this tradition shows no signs of slowing down.
With the Christmas season in full swing, keep an eye on your front porch. You never know when a Santa or Snowman might arrive, bearing holiday cheer and a request to continue the fun. Just snap a photo, share the moment on Facebook, and pass him along to the next unsuspecting neighbor. And in this season of giving, don’t be surprised if you find yourself with newfound friends along the way.
