Ho, Ho, Ho... you know Santa's most famous phrase. This year, there's a new "Old St. Nick" at the Mall of America in Bloomington, saying those words and taking pictures with happy children. After 24 years, MOA has hired its first black Santa.

Introducing Santa Larry Jefferson. Larry is a retired US Army veteran... and part-time Chris Cringle. Like every other Santa Claus, he's jolly, warm, and welcoming. Personally, I think it is wonderful that he's a Santa.

As Santa Larry puts it,

“It’s no big deal, I’m still Santa, I just happen to be a Santa of Color,” 

Larry says he met Santa Sid at a Santa Claus convention and Sid recruited him to come to Minneapolis.

If you or your children would like to meet Santa Larry, click here.

 

Mall of America welcomes its first black Santa

Dozens of Santas cycle through Twin Cities shopping centers each year, spreading joy to children who entrust them with their holiday wish lists. What has been missing from that experience, some parents say, was a Kriss Kringle who represented a wider swath of believers.

The Mall of America's first black Santa: 'Santa comes in many different colors'

As he walked through the crowd of hundreds of bearded, plump, and jolly white men, Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa Claus, stood out. It was July, at the annual Santa Claus convention in Branson, Mo., which draws more than 800 Santa Clauses and Mrs. Clauses from across the country.

Black Santa Coming To Mall Of America For The 1st Time

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - The Santa Experience inside the Mall of America is bringing a unique experience to Twin Cities families this year. For the first time since it opened, a black Santa Claus will help spread the Christmas cheer.

More From Y-105FM