Tempe’s annual “Santa Show” delights Valley children

Santa answers calls from the young and young-at-heart

Tempe, Arizona – Forget standing in line at the mall, waiting hours to talk to the big guy in red, only to find that your little one refuses to sit on his lap. Tempe has the perfect way to tell Santa what you’d like for the holidays: The Santa Show.

For the eighth year, Tempe 11 will air the live call-in show hosted by Dick Steely and starring the man of the month, Santa Claus. It is a popular tradition for Tempe children who watch the show live on the city’s cable channel, and for the viewers everywhere who watch it live on the city’s Web site, www.tempe.gov/tempe11.

This year, The Santa Show will air Monday, Dec. 8, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Children can call 480-350-8900 to talk to Santa. The show could last until 8 p.m. because the crew never cuts off a child waiting on the line to talk to Santa – they’ll keep taking calls as long as they come in.

The show also features segments highlighting the many holiday events in Tempe.

Media are welcome to attend the live show to capture Santa and his elves in action. The Tempe 11 studio is located at the Tempe Performing Arts Center, 132 E. Sixth St.

If viewers have any suggestions, comments or ideas for the channel, Tempe 11 encourages submissions through its email address: tempe11@tempe.gov.

Technorati Tags: Christmas, Santa, Santa Claus, Tempe Arizona, The Santa Show