Every Christmas season, children worldwide look to the skies in hopes of seeing flying reindeer, pulling Santa's sleigh. While the Ledbetter family cannot guarantee those sightings, they surely go the distance to provide personal reindeer encounters and memories that last a lifetime with the Reindeer Club of Oklahoma.
The Reindeer Club of Oklahoma is owned by none other than Bristow’s own Nick Ledbetter-- perhaps he really is Saint Nick in disguise? Nick's parents, Billy and Susan Ledbetter, work as elves with the club, assisting in booking and scheduling, serving as farmhands, and raising and transporting the reindeer to events. Together, the Ledbetters and their beloved reindeer, Rose and Grace, fill eyes and minds with wonder each Christmas season as they meet thousands of people eager to meet the magical creatures at events around the state and southern portion of the country.
As for those events, the Reindeer Club annually books events from mid-October to January 1, literally going the distance to provide memorable experiences for all. In previous years, they traveled as far as New Orleans, around 700 miles from home, for the New Orleans Saints' Christmas party. This year and others, they routinely hoof it to Dallas and Pampa, Texas, for events. Pampa is nearly 300 miles from home. They also take the reindeer to large events held at several Oklahoma-based U.S. Air Force locations: Altus AFB, Vance AFB, and Tinker AFB.
Additionally, the reindeer contribute to magical Christmas memories via photo shoots held in Oklahoma City, Norman, Woodward, Shawnee, and Tulsa, each year. Billy noted that perhaps one of the more interestingly unique bookings the Ledbetters have made with Rose and Grace occurred in January of this year, when they filmed two sets or scenes for the soon-to-be released film “The One”, starring Martin Sheen and set in Enid, Oklahoma.
Last year, the Ledbetters noted that they attended around 120 events with the reindeer during the Christmas season; however, they have reduced their availability for this year, presently set for Rose and Grace to delight audiences at around 70 events—three locally.
The reindeer made a stop last Friday at KC’s Re-Vintage at the intersection of East 1st Avenue and Oak Street in the old garment factory. They will next meet excited fans at Bristow’s annual Christmas tree lighting event near month’s end in the parking lot at East 8th Avenue and North Main Street and again on the night of the Christmas parade on December 4, in the same location.
Annually, the reindeer close out the season in Joplin, Missouri, and in Sapulpa. Sapulpa’s Route 66 Christmas Chute often hosts the reindeer, providing opportunities to meet Rose and Grace as late in the season as December 31; however, that venue will be closed for the 2025 season due to construction.
Finally, the Ledbetters encourage anyone desiring more information to contact them by phone. They even have a few remaining booking dates available, which can be booked by phone as well. Interested parties may reach Nick at 918906-6115 and Susan at 918-693-1778.