If you happen to have ridden by Edwards IGA in East Rockingham on Saturday, Dec. 7, you would have seen an unusual sight: Santa sitting on a 1952 Farmall Tractor.
Ricky Blakely is from the “Mill Hill” area of East Rockingham, and is known as the “Mill Hillbilly Santa” and has been playing the role for around 40 years.
IGA is one of Blakely’s regular stops each year. A few of his other stops include Hamlet Hardware, Hamlet’s Old-Fashioned Christmas, Lindsey’s Tire, all-throughout East Rockingham and Derby, as well as different churches and other locations.
“I played Santa for the Levine’s Children’s Center in Charlotte last year,” Blakely said, ringing his 1940 bell. I’ve got a 14-year-old grandson, Issac Nunley, who I have custody of, and he is battling leukemia. He hasn’t been able to go to school in two years due to being so weak; he also has a compromised immune system.”
Blakely said his grandson’s cancer is currently in remission and they travel to Charlotte twice a week.
“My grandson has good faith and tells everyone he’s been baptized,” Blakely said. “He tells everyone it’s a win-win situation: if he doesn’t make it, he will be with his Lord and if he does make it, he’ll be here with us. He stands on having the Lord on his side one way or another.”
Cars continued pulling in Saturday and people lined up to get out and chat with Santa. Children shared their wish lists with him and left smiling as they held onto the Tootsie Roll pop Santa had given them. Adults also conversed with him as they snapped pictures of their little ones.
Blakely continued talking about his experiences throughout the years as well as his motivation to play Santa.
“I didn’t have much growing up in the Mill Hill, and I try to put back a little love to share with others,” he said. “About two years ago, I was on Highway 1 when a busload of Chinese people stopped; they all got out in the middle of the highway to take pictures with me. I’m now known as the international Santa to them. I enjoy meeting a lot of new people.”
Blakely also mentioned going to Pence Place in East Rockingham for handicapped children and playing Santa for them.
“They had me come out in August this year because some of the children would not make it until Christmas,” he said.
If you are out and about this holiday season and happen to see Mill Hillbilly Santa, take a few moments to stop and bless him by saying hello.
Through the struggles in his life, he chooses to bless others during this special season; bring a warm smile to his heart by receiving some of the love he puts back for others.
NOTE: This story has been updated to correct Blakely’s name. 6:58 p.m. 12-9-24.
