"Old Saint Nick is a total rock star to little kids, and December is when he goes on tour. On the calendar: photos at the mall, appearances at fundraisers, and official tree lighting ceremonies. But what does it take to maintain the magic of Christmas? Myk Price is a professional Santa performer. This is his fourth year of performing in public - doing everything from photoshoots to fundraisers."
""As of today, I am one of perhaps seven Black Santas in the entirety of California, maybe eight," he said. He said the Santa community immediately welcomed him into its peppermint-perfumed embrace. And while people of all backgrounds are thrilled to see him, on occasion a kid will say "hey you're Black, you don't look like the real Santa." Price has a careful response. "Many people see Santa in many different ways, and have for centuries, and people have certain pictures in their heads. And just sometimes, depending on who's here, there is somebody who really needs to see me looking like this. And so today I look like this. Tomorrow I can look like somebody else. It's all a part of Christmas magic," he said."
A professional Santa balances a busy December schedule that includes mall photos, fundraisers, and official tree lighting ceremonies while maintaining the sense of wonder. Myk Price performs publicly for a fourth year and has worn the suit privately for over thirty years. Price identifies as one of very few Black Santas in California and describes a welcoming Santa community alongside occasional moments where children question his appearance. Price explains that Santa can appear in many ways and that varied portrayals help meet different children's needs, preserving the flexibility and magic of the role. California is also preparing for a dangerous storm system affecting large regions.
Read at Kqed
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