The largest mall in the U.S. has hired its first black Santa Claus in its 24-year history. Larry Jefferson, a retired Army veteran who has portrayed Santa since 1999, is spending four days at the Mall of America in Minnesota, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The 96-acre mall hires multiple impersonators to work through the holiday season. It hosts a free photo station with Santa as well as a two paid ones that take appointments for shoppers who want to buy photo packages.
"On Thursday morning, Jefferson emerged as Santa Larry, wowing toddlers and their siblings during individual play sessions," Star Tribune reporter Liz Sawyer writes. "He spoke softly to his fans, patiently waiting for them to divulge their Christmas wishes."
"This is a long time coming," said Landon Luther, co-owner of the Santa Experience, which has run the intimate photo studio at the mall for 10 years. "We want Santa to be for everyone, period."
Jefferson, who is from the Dallas area, is the first and only black member of the Lone Star Santas, a nonprofit with more than 350 Santa Clauses, Mrs. Clauses, and elves who donate toys to children in disaster-stricken areas.
ointer::nohead:
