For most children Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. But for many Natchez children, Santa makes his home in downtown Natchez.

This year Michael Cates will don the red suit and black boots to deliver Christmas cheer to underprivileged children in Natchez.

Cates said seeing the excitement in the eyes of the children is the main reason he participates in the Santa Claus Parade each year.

“For a lot of these children, it is the only Christmas they will have,” Cates said.

Cates is suiting up after being nominated and chosen to be Santa Claus by the Santa Claus Committee. The committee was formed in 1928 when several local businessmen became concerned that some Natchez children would be without presents on Christmas morning.

Each year since, the committee has raised money that is used to purchase gifts for children. The gifts are distributed to specially selected children and families.

The male-only committee has continued the tradition each year by creeping through town tossing candy to onlookers and distributing presents at Braden School auditorium and later making a stop at the Natchez Children’s Home.

Over the years, the Christmas Eve parade has evolved into a tradition that residents mark on their calendar yearly. Cates said while throwing candy, it isn’t unusual to see familiar faces.

“We now have several generations that are used to gathering for the parade,” Cates said. “The littlest babies and the grandmas are the ones that probably get the most candy.”

And while the parade has turned into a popular social outing for the participants and onlookers, the cause is still the same.

“It is a fun social event but the root of it has always been the cause,” Cates said. “The children are the real reason we do it.”

Cates knew there was a chance he would be chosen as Santa and didn’t hesitate a bit when approached about filling the role this year.

“There is a list of potential nominees for several years out, and I knew I was on that list,” he said. “When they asked if I would be interested, I was more than happy.”

After 10 years with the Santa Claus Committee, Cates still points toward one encounter during his first year in the parade as his most memorable.

“There was a little girl at the Children’s Home that reminded me of my daughter,” Cates said. “She sang a song during the program they do, and I could see my daughter in her.

“I still remember that feeling, and from that year on I always made a point to stay in the parade until we made the stop at the children’s home.”

This year Cates is likely to make even more memories as children look at him with large eyes filled with excitement since he will be toting the bag of toys.