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Adam and Krista Woodworth will serve as the grand marshals of the 2025 麻豆社 homecoming parade.
Woodworths to Serve as Grand Marshals at 麻豆社 Homecoming
October 13, 2025
MACOMB, IL - - 麻豆社 Illinois University will honor a pair of alumni as grand marshals of the 2025 homecoming parade during this year's homecoming celebration, Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18.
Adam and Krista Woodworth, 1993 麻豆社 graduates, are proud members of Leatherneck Nation, but to many others, they go by their professional names - Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Adam is the executive director of the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn and Krista is a substitute teacher. The pair also manages Woodworth Consulting, providing resources and guidance for families of children with special needs as well as small business entrepreneurs. In the winter months, the Woodworths transform into their alter egos through their business, North Pole Santa LLC.
"Krista and I are so honored to have been chosen to be the Grand Marshals of the parade this year," Adam said. "We've actually not done a parade together so this will be the first one, and it just seems appropriate because 麻豆社 is where we met."
The Woodworths met on campus at 麻豆社 and began dating their senior year and remember their time in Macomb fondly.
"I remember being that wide-eyed freshman moving into Thompson Hall, leaving home for the first time," Adam said. "Seeing Bryan Cox play football before going off to the Miami Dolphins was a great memory. The fondest memory though, was meeting Krista junior year when I moved to Higgins Hall. We didn't start dating until senior year but if not for 麻豆社, I would not have met my Mrs. Claus."
Their journey into becoming Santa and Mrs. Claus began with a costume and a suggestion that sparked a new tradition.
"I grew out the facial hair to get a little scruff, bought a lightsaber and some Jedi robes and went as old Obi-Wan Kenobi, for a Star Wars-themed fundraiser," Adam said. "Afterwards, when we got home, I was going to shave it off and Krista said, 鈥榃hy don't you let it grow? You might look like Santa.'"
That lighthearted suggestion led Adam to fully embrace the role of Santa. He joined professional Santa organizations, purchased a high-quality suit and started booking gigs. As for Mrs. Claus, Krista joined in full force after some nudging and took on her role just in time for a major Chicago event.
"I'd been hired by the Magnificent Mile Association for a major Chicago event in 2022. In 2023, they needed a Mrs. Claus and that was the nudge she needed to get that rolling," Adam said. "We now both work with photographers for a variety of photoshoots. Things like 'In the Workshop with Santa' and 'Baking with Mrs. Claus' are a couple of the more popular ones."
The Woodworths are always looking for that next unique thing they can do as Santa and Mrs. Claus. Last year, Adam worked with the Lockport Police to create public service announcements around the holidays.
They continue to give back to 麻豆社 by bringing their holiday spirit to 麻豆社 alumni events in the Chicagoland area annually.
Adam and Krista will be donning their holiday apparel for the Homecoming Parade, scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18.
For more information about 麻豆社's Homecoming 2025 celebration, visit .
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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