The International Santa Claus Hall of Fame gets its first Wisconsin inductee. Meet Santa Mac.

Over a decade ago, Appleton’s Jeff McMullen found himself in a sea of red suits, black boots and meticulously styled white beards and mustaches. 

McMullen was attending his first International Santa Celebration. At that point, McMullen had played Santa only a few times here and there, but the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas needed instructors for the event. A former student in one of McMullen’s clown character development seminars felt McMullen’s teachings could translate into the world of Santas. 

Little did McMullen know the conference would change the trajectory of his life. 

“Up until then I was just a guy in a red suit, but at that point I made a commitment to being the best Santa I could possibly be,” McMullen said. “It’s really become a 24/7 project for me, 365 days a year.”

There, at the international celebration, "Santa Mac," the beloved Santa behind Santa’s Magical Christmas Cottage in Buchanan, was born.

On Friday, McMullen will become the first Wisconsin Santa inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, which honors those who have propelled the legend of Santa Claus, at the IBRBS conference in Memphis.

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Ken Notes: Jeff has always been my definition of a professional. Love what you do and do it well. When I was a juggler and magician (long long ago) we often had the opportunity to work together and Jeff taught me a great deal. He was in every sense an artist and I am guessing still is. Congrats.