Santa Barney

Santa Barney has enjoyed bringing joy and memories to people at Christmas time for over 5 years portraying Santa Claus. Santa Barney is a real-bearded Santa who works continuously to improve his impression. Santa Barney has been called the REAL Santa Claus by everyone that sees him. His rosy cheeks and the twinkle in his eyes will convince children and adults that he is the REAL Santa Claus.

Santa Barney is a member of the International Brotherhood of Real-Bearded Santas and is also a Gold member of the Worldwide Santa Claus Network.

He comes from a lifelong background of volunteering as an historic interpreter. He portrayed the famous explorer and adventurer Daniel Boone for 15 years at the Historic Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri.
He has been recognized by three Missouri governors for his volunteer activities in preserving history in the State of Missouri. He received his Commission as a Kentucky Colonel from Governor Ernie Fletcher of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for his work in preserving and sharing the history of Kentucky and Daniel Boone.

Trained as a Certified Interpretive Guide - National Association for Interpretation – Former Member.
Kentucky Colonel - Commissioned by Gov. Ernie Fletcher, Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Association of Missouri Interpreters - Lifetime member.
The Boone Society - Lifetime member.
Boone's Lick Road Association – Former Member.
Missouri River Relief - Crew member/volunteer
Missouri River Relief – Member of the Board of Directors – 3 years.
St. Charles County Parks & Recreation – volunteer – 8 years.
Columbia, MO Parks & Recreation – volunteer – 5 years
The Historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park – volunteer – 37 years.
Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper – former member

The Historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park – front line historic interpretive volunteer – From November, 1987 till currently – (37 years), under three owners of the property, (Privately owned – November 1987 till 1998) - (Lindenwood University 1998 till 2016) - (St. Charles County Parks & Recreation – May 2016 till present)
Help save and dismantle the Zephaniah Sappington/John Dressel Home, circa 1804 log home and the Benedict Warmbrodt Home, circa pre-1836 log home and move them both to the Historic Daniel Boone site in 1987.

• 2006 – Co-featured in the Missouri Life magazine article “Candlelit Village, Daniel Boone’s Home Shines in Yuletide Season”, December 2006 edition.

• 2007 – Received a Proclamation from Missouri Governor Matt Blunt in recognition of my volunteer activities.

• 2007 – Commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, for promoting Kentucky and her people through my portrayal of Daniel Boone.

• 2007 – Received a letter of thanks from Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan for preserving the history of the State of Missouri.

• 2007 - Received a letter of acknowledgement and thanks from the Boy Scouts of America, Greater St. Louis Area Council in recognition of presenting a historic program that was attended by well over one thousand Boy Scouts, Webelos, and Scouters. I was also recognized for assisting over 350 scouts earn the American Heritage Merit Badge.

• 2008 – Co-featured in the “Missouri Life” magazine article “The Best of Missouri Life Festival”, April 2008 edition.

• 2009 – Co-featured in the “Missouri Life” magazine article “Bringing Boone and His Biographer to life”, August, 2009 edition.

• 2012 – Charter recipient, Lindenwood University’s Historic Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village, Boone Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award.

•2012 – Certified Interpretive Guide Certification – July 7, 2012 – National Association for Interpretation.

• 2015 – Received the “Excellence in Letters” award from Lindenwood University’s Daniel Boone Home in recognition of my talents in social media as an editor of the Historic Daniel Boone Home Facebook Page.

• 2017 – Received the “Lifetime Achievement” award from the St. Charles County Parks Department’s Director in recognition of my exceptional methods of historical interpretation and my many years of volunteer service.

• 2017 - Received a Proclamation from Missouri Governor Eric Greitens in recognition of my
volunteerism to the State of Missouri.

• 2018 – Received a Proclamation from Missouri Governor Mike Parsons in recognition of preserving Missouri history and being a “Goodwill Ambassador” for the State of Missouri.

• 2018 – Received the “Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer” award from the Region 6 chapter of The National Association for Interpretation. – (Regional Award)

• 2018 – Received the “Outstanding Volunteer Parks Advocate” award from the St. Charles County Parks Department for extraordinary service and dedication to the St. Charles County Parks & Recreation Department.

2019 - Became a crew member of Missouri River Relief.

2019 - Became a volunteer for the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department, Park Patrol volunteer. – (Portrayed Santa Claus for their “Cookies with Santa” program, December 18th., 2019)

2019 - Received the "AMI Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer" award for the State of Missouri from The Association of Missouri Interpreters. – (State Award)

2019 - Received the "NAI Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer" award from The National Association for Interpretation. – (National Award)

2019 - Runner-up - Best Re-enactor in the Lore and Legends category - Discover the Best of Missouri Life Awards - Missouri Life Magazine.

2019 – Received the “Dive-In Head First Award” from Missouri River Relief – This annual award is meant to recognize the most outstanding newcomers to the Missouri River Relief crew.

2021 - Received the “Metamorphosis Award” from Missouri River Relief – This annual award is meant to recognize the most outstanding crew member that has taken on multiple new roles in the Missouri River Relief crew.
2021 – Appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Missouri River Relief.