In late October 1993, the management of Santa's Village theme park was notified by WGN-TV that their Santa, Phillip L. Wenz, had been selected as "Chicago's Very Own-Santa Claus." This honor is bestowed upon outstanding individuals or traditions that are uniquely associated with the City of Chicago. Once the title is given in a category it is not awarded again. The following segment was shot in early November 1993 and aired nationwide on Super Station WGN-TV on Tuesday December 14, 1993. Wenz is the only Santa Claus ever to receive this title and was 30 years old at the time. He is the youngest person ever to be called "Chicago's Very Own!"
Santa with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and WGN-TV's Steve Sanders and Allison Payne.