ThermApparel and Julia had an absolutely joyful time at the Santa Family Reunion in Gatlinburg, TN, from March 29 to April 1, 2025. The convention center was alive with Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and Christmas performers, an endless parade of red suits, beautiful gowns, twinkling smiles, and jolly laughter as friends reunited and new performers joined the festive family.
Santa’s and Mrs. Clauses were thrilled to see Julia and check out the latest cooling gear, rekindling old friendships and swapping stories about the real challenges of performing in velvet, faux fur, and parade gear.
All weekend, performers stopped by to try on UltraCool Cooling Vests and CoolSleeves, eager to see firsthand how invisible comfort helps keep the magic going for hours. Video testimonials from attendees echoed a common theme:
“These vests saved me last holiday season and let me focus every bit of energy on the children!”
Educational Highlights & Keynotes
This year’s keynotes showcased some of the extraordinary talent in the Christmas community. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed sessions from Ed Taylor, Joe Barney, Mitch Allen, Lee Andrews, and Steve & Deb Gillham.
Julia’s session, ‘How to Stay Cool: The Effects of Heat,’ drew a packed audience ready to learn what overheating really does to the body. She showed how ThermApparel Cooling Gear, especially UltraCool and CoolSleeves, helps performers avoid exhaustion, stay sharp, and make every parade, mall, and home visit magical.
Why Christmas Performers Choose ThermApparel
UltraCool, UnderCool 3 Cooling Vests, RallyWrap Cooling Belt, and CoolSleeves offer performance-focused benefits:
- Up to 4 hours of cooling with ThermApparel's Phase Change Material (PCM) technology
- No condensation. Suits, gowns, and costumes stay dry and protected
- Lightweight and flexible for complete freedom of movement
- Discreet fit, no one will know you have it on
- Fast 30 min recharge in ice water or 60 min in a freezer, ready for back-to-back events
Celebration & Community
The vendor showcase buzzed with performers testing gear, sharing stories, and catching up. Attendees raved about how ThermApparel cooling technology let them handle private events, long mall seasons, and parades. And as always, the guys from TNL’s “on the road” kept the positive energy going and made sure everyone who couldn’t attend this year stayed informed with their live video streams.
Watch real testimonials about safety, stamina, and keeping that signature holiday cheer year-round. to hear directly from Santas and Mrs. Clauses,
(VIDEOS OF TESTIMONIALS)
Already Excited for 2027!
The Santa Family Reunion was pure joy: education, laughter, performance tips, and new ways to keep the season bright. ThermApparel left with full hearts and new friends, counting the days until the next reunion!
See more of our adventures and all the cons we’ve visited in our TA on Tour Blog so you can find us wherever you go!
And of course...
A trip to Gatlinburg isn't complete without a scenic drive through the Smoky Mountains and a quick stop at the Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers. (Seriously! They have over 20,000 sets from around the world!)
