Head Elf of the Reindeer Operations Department, Elf Victor
The Annual Reindeer Games are a North Pole tradition.
Even though Santa’s A-Team of Reindeer are well known and not likely to lose their place the annual reindeer games draw thousands of reindeer to compete for position and a place in Operation Merry Christmas.
Many people do not realize that it takes thousands of reindeer serving in many roles to help Santa do what he does every Christmas.
The games give Santa a chance to see the reindeer and their abilities. The Reindeer Operations Department runs the game and they assist Santa in assigning the reindeer to different functions every Christmas based on the outcome of the games.
It is a prestigious thing for a reindeer to win the Reindeer Games.
Although all of Santa’s reindeer have won the games at different times over the years they don’t win every year. Every once in a while a young reindeer comes along that surprises.
A good example of the story of The Mighty Mick, a reindeer born with some physical limitations who trained for years just to compete in the games.
When he was strong enough to be in the games it changed his life when he won. His story continues to inspire elves and reindeer alike. By winning the games Mick went on to serve on the backup team of Santa’s reindeer and later joined the Kringle Reindeer Center as a trainer of young disabled reindeer.
The Reindeer Games can be held any time between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Santa does not like the games to be held too late in the year so that the reindeer have time to recover before Christmas Eve.
Elves and their families at the North Pole are big fans of the reindeer games. They attend each event in the grandstands and place bets with sugar cookies on the outcome of each competition. The games are televised on North Pole TV and most working elves have the games on non-stop.
The games have an Opening and Closing ceremonial parade that honors past and present champions. Santa and Mrs. Claus attend as many of the game events as they can, including the opening and closing ceremonies.
The games typically run about five days in length and feature events of endurance and skill. There are speed races, flying obstacle courses, sleigh pulls, high jump contests and even landing accuracy drills.
The winner of the games is usually given a choice assignment on Christmas Eve.
