Meet Augusta’s annual Christmas celebrity: Kenny Buddy the Elf

Although most elves live in the North Pole and travel to keep an eye on boys and girls during the Christmas season before reporting back to Santa Claus, Augusta has had its very own elf resident for over a decade.

Beloved by many, Kenny Buddy the elf is famous for his town appearances and shenanigans involving syrup and loud music during Christmastime, but prior to being an elf, Kenny Buddy was first a U.S. Marshal.

Serving in law enforcement for 28 years, Kenny Shugars, widely known as Kenny Buddy, has taken on several jobs to better many communities, including: campus police officer for George Washington University, a soccer coach, a federal adjudicator and security specialist for the NCIS Headquarters, and a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Washington, D.C., before being transferred to Augusta in 1993.

From 1997 to 2012, Shugars was the Deputy in Charge of the Augusta and Dublin divisions until he retired to become an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Augusta University.

After transferring to Augusta, Shugars was first famously known for impersonating a racecar driver, inspired by a co-worker nicknaming him ‘Kenny Bobby’ for looking similar to Ricky Bobby and Shugars’ skills in online racer driving.

“I started playing a fictitious character in 2006 called Kenny Bobby – who was Ricky Bobby’s twin brother – and we looked sort of alike, so I used to go to NASCAR races dressed as him,” said Shugars. “Then, I ended up being a volunteer for the Augusta RiverHawks hockey team in 2010, and they wanted me to be the in-crowd announcer, which means I would do all the contests, giveaways and fun stuff.”

Volunteering his time, Shugars appeared at many events around the CSRA before eventually debuting as Kenny Buddy the elf 13 years ago at the request of the RiverHawks wanting a Christmas character for the winter season.

“It was really fun. We would hold syrup chugging and spaghetti with syrup eating contests, just a lot of tasty things like that,” said Shugars. “Next thing I knew people wanted me to do the Jingle Jam 10K, Shop with a Cop, and everything I did was for charity. I would just volunteer. Then, about eight years ago, they asked me to do the education basketball games at [Augusta University].”

Starting the Jingle Jam 10K for several years, Kenny Buddy’s work in bringing cheer to  Augustans while helping fundraise was recently recognized for the race’s final year.

“They made me their logo … and I was honored,” said Shugars. 

Keeping things light and fun in and out of his criminal justice classes, Shugars has recently taken to sporting other creative costumes in addition to Kenny Buddy. Other characters included a sasquatch and a batman occasionally displaying Augusta University pride with themed jerseys and masks.

When he is not spreading Christmas joy, Shugars implements his people skills to teach criminal justice students how to de-escalate a situation through strong communication and relationship building.

“I always enjoyed mentoring young people, I have coached 200 youth soccer players in my career trying to teach them about sportsmanship, respecting the game and never giving up,” he said. “So I wanted to do the same and am very passionate about teaching criminal justice students the right way to go into this field.”

By treating people fairly, maintaining professionalism, showing kindness and relying on communication, Shugars said he hopes to pass on the nonviolent skills and tactics he utilized for decades.

“When I was a Marshal, they always saddled me with the ‘crazies,’ because I could get them to calm down. That was because of my communication skills,” he said. “I also want [my students] to be humble and be willing to work their way up the ranks from the bottom. I am a big believer in having college educated professionals in criminal justice fields.”

More than anything, Shugars said he is all about helping his students achieve their career goals.

Shugars also said he emphasizes to his students the importance of fostering a stress-relieving hobby to avoid depression and burnout when working in the field.

“I never played any of these characters when I was a Marshal. I kept those things separate, but I tell my students they have to have balance in their life. When you go to work, you put in the work and you do the best that you can and be fair, ” he said. “But when you come home, you have to separate your work life … you have to leave it there. You have to find a hobby too, like I do now by being Kenny Buddy the elf.”

When it comes to helping others and spreading laughter, Shugars’ love for his community never stops, and it shines through every playful costume. 

Over the years, Shugars said one of his favorite memories of playing Kenny Buddy involved lighting up a little girl’s day with the simple act of sharing his syrup.

“There was this little girl who always wanted to meet the elf … and she was just so happy,” he said. “This little 5-year-old girl – her whole dream was to meet the elf and I got to give that to her.”

Showing up for shelter fundraisers, Rotary clubs and even countless other events, Shugars said he always enjoys volunteering his time and acting skills. 

For him, acting the part of a sugar-crazed and loud elf is worth every smile, hug, laugh and memorable photo.