Around this time of year, children throughout the U.S. are thinking about Santa flying through the sky in his bright red sleigh. In Houston, many of us are scanning the streets for Pancho Claus who rides around in his polished Cadillac low-rider. But, who is this Houston legend? And where did he get his magic?
Who is Pancho Claus?
Pancho Claus, whose name is derived from a popular Mexican nickname for Francisco, is said to have begun after a parody poem of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in the 1950s, then again in the 1970s with the rise of the Chicano movement. Other incarnations in Lubbock and San Antonio don a serape and sombrero, but our Houston version wears his signature red zoot suit, black shades, and fedora.
In 1981, Richard Reyes was working as a stage manager at a theater when he wrote another adaptation of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" featuring Pancho Claus, the Chicano cousin of the North Pole’s most famous resident. Instead of reindeer, Reyes’ version featured “eight low-riders all jacked down in the rear.” And Pancho doesn’t do chimneys – there aren’t many chimneys to begin with where he’s from – he comes in through the bathroom window. Before he knew it, Reyes was a character in his own story, responding to mail and phone calls asking for presents and a little bit of Christmas magic.
Pancho Claus waving from his trademark low-rider. (Ed Uthman/Wikipedia Commons)
Where Is He Now?
Since those early days, Pancho Claus has gone from making a few small appearances to holiday shows at the Houston convention center. What began as a few dozen toys to kids in the neighborhood has become 20,000 gifts, according to his website. He now uses go-fund-me to help pay for the growing costs of his operation.
Beyond the presents themselves, he has used the gift-giving initiative as an opportunity to source local volunteers, founding a community center and trying to prevent gang violence after Reyes’ sister was killed in a drive-by shooting.
What Can You Do?
Reyes was recently hospitalized after his third heart attack. Volunteers are stepping up to help as he recovers, wrapping packages and even donning his famous black sunglasses. Though he was in good spirits before his surgery, he admitted to Fox 26 Houston, “I’m not going to be around forever." The 73-year-old has already been spreading his Christmas joy for over 40 years.
As Reyes told Texas Country Reporter last year, it’s not just one man that can leave an impact and spread joy: “This whole community is Pancho Claus.”
