A fun, new holiday tradition at SeaWorld San Diego
In addition to their animal exhibits, entertainment, activities, restaurants and shopping, SeaWorld San Diego also hosts many special events throughout the year. The recent announcement for one special event caught my attention:
“Celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day with a festive evening at SeaWorld San Diego. Wear your most creative ugly Christmas sweater and join us at Nautilus Amphitheater for holiday fun hosted by Park President Tyler Carter. Take part in the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest for a chance to win: $1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place (and) $250 for 3rd place. Enjoy photo opportunities and plenty of festive fun.”
It is interesting how random events can sometimes trigger memories. This announcement made me think of my father, who had passed away several decades ago, and of his very old, one-of-a-kind sweater that had long been hanging in my clothes closet. I doubt that I’d ever worn it, but I’d kept it after my father passed away to remember him by.
This sweater has a story. Long ago my dad and two partners started a small sweater factory in Canada. Over the years it grew, a brand-new building was constructed for it, and the company earned a solid reputation all across Canada for its sweaters’ high quality and popular styles. I wore dad’s company’s sweaters when I went skiing and I still have a few, decades later. My skiing days are probably over, but the sweaters are still as good as new.
While writing this I found a sweater catalog from 1973. Inside, on the company’s information page, I saw that my dad had autographed a photo of himself to me. Not long thereafter, my dad retired as President of the company.
To commemorate what he had built, his employees made a very special retirement gift for him: an absolutely one-of-a-kind, pullover sweater. Its mostly wool fabric was a quilt-like, sewn-together patchwork of assorted small shapes and sizes of material from among the many styles of sweaters that the company manufactured.
I thought it would be a wonderful remembrance of my dad if I were to wear that sweater in the SeaWorld contest, but I had no expectation of winning a prize for it. After all, it didn’t have any holiday graphics on it whatsoever, but I’d hoped that people would think that my sweater — and its story, were worth sharing with them.
I remember my dad as being a pretty big fellow. Of course, that was from my perspective as his much younger son. I assumed that his sweater would fit me as an adult but, just to be certain, I tried it on. Much to my surprise it was tight, but luckily its many seams held together. I carefully took it off and decided that I would enter it in SeaWorld’s contest.
On the afternoon of December 20th, I drove over to SeaWorld. It was cold outside but my wool sweater kept me warm as I walked over to the onsite registration area at the Nautilus Amphitheater. Registration — limited to the first 100 entries — was scheduled to open at 5:00 PM, with judging beginning at 6:00 PM.
Inside the amphitheater, I saw many wonderful sweaters. Some of the entrants were individuals and others were families. Park President Tyler Carter — the competition’s enthusiastic Master of Ceremonies, called us up one-at-a-time to the front of the stage, and encouraged us to say something about our sweaters. The four judges were seated in front of the grandstand.
The stage was set up for a performance of “A Stocking Full of Soul” — an entertaining, high-energy song and dance show that would follow our competition.
I discovered a video on YouTube of our Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, posted by MZHOLLYWOOD. Here is a link (dad’s sweater and I appear in the video at 07:49, 24.45, 27:21, 29:25 and 33:30):
It made me feel good that people kept approaching me to compliment dad’s sweater and its story. I think that would please him, too.
Tyler announced that the judges had decided to add two more prizes. I won one of those — a SeaWorld animal experience on a return visit — for fourth place.
For more information about SeaWorld San Diego, visit: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/.
To explore a wide variety of content dating back to 2002, with the most photos and the latest text, visit “AutoMatters & More” at https://automatters.net. Search by title or topic in the Search Bar in the middle of the Home Page, or click on the blue ‘years’ boxes and browse.
Copyright © 2024 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #865
Jan, sorry for the two similar comments, but after the first one, I received a message that reCaptcha failed, even though I didn’t have to use it. My message never went through the first time, but here it is now!
Jan, even though you won a prize, this is NOT an ugly sweater. It’s right back in style with its colourful, multicultural abstract design. A real tribute to your father.
What was the brand name of your family’s sweater company? I lived in Canada in those days and might recognize it.
In the first photo, are those baby Orca Whales?
David.
Thank you. I absolutely agree that
this is not an ugly Christmas sweater, but I thought that this was a good time and occasion to wear it. The judges, the audience and my fellow competitors agreed.
In answer to your question, my dad’s sweater company in Calgary was called “White Ram Knitting.”
SeaWorld no longer captures Orcas. These are whales that were already there.
Jan
Jan, I’m pleased you won a prize in the Ugly Sweater Contest, but your father’s sweater is NOT an ugly sweater! It’s beautiful and totally back in style with its colorful multicultural abstract look.
I wasn’t aware of your family’s sweater company. I still lived in Canada in those days and might have owned one. What was the brand name?
This column was very touching…a tribute to your father.
David.
Off the subject, but is the first photo of baby Orca Whales? If so, I wasn’t aware they could still be kept in captivity.