When 58-year-old Ervin Dennis walks the streets of DeSoto, Texas, a couple of miles outside of Dallas, not many of those who see him realize he has a secret life.
A truck driver for the last 34 years, his life appears pretty normal on the surface. He makes an honest living by reporting to his job at Redi-Mix Concrete at 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, where he hauls over 100 tons of rocks each day. At 4 a.m. he sets out for home.
But on the weekends, Dennis has time to indulge his second passion – making appearances at parties and other social events as Santa Claus.
He says it all started about four years ago when he bought a Santa suit to amuse his family and friends for the holidays, but he always knew he looked like St. Nick. “Whenever I walk into anyone’s presence, there’s no doubt who I look like. Before I started doing Santa, no matter where we would go, kids would come up and say, ‘Are you Santa Claus?'” After that initial question, the children would want to know more, like where his reindeer were, and if he lived at the North Pole.
Dennis says his long, gray beard has always gotten him attention. He’s even had parents back their cars up when they see him walking down the street, just to allow their children to wave and sneak a peek at the look-alike in jeans and a T-shirt. “My beard is full and real,” he says with a giggle.
A couple of years ago, Dennis decided to go professional with his natural talent when he began North Pole Events, a business that allows him to do what he does best: look like Santa. “It’s just a little side business for now,” he says.
During the holiday season, Dennis travels throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area making appearances and having pictures taken. “I am extremely patient with kids,” he says. “I have an ability to communicate with them without hollering at the top of my lungs. They instinctively trust me because I have a good heart.”
