Last year, many professional Santas talked to kids virtually. That was before the big vaccine rollout and long before FDA approval for vaccinating kids as young as 5. In year two of the pandemic, the holiday landscape looks a little different. And more people are seeking out in-person Santa visits. Professional Santas are in demand for public and private events and, in some cases, that demand outstrips what these friendly, bearded individuals came to expect in pre-pandemic years.

Rev. Dr. Leroy Barber, aka Black Santa PDX, says he’s doing at least twice as many events this year as he did in 2019. Susan Mesco has also seen explosive demand for in-person Santas. She’s the founder and director of the Professional Santa Claus School and president of American Events & Promotions and SantaVisitsUSA. We hear from Barber, Mesco and Barb Wright, owner of Oodles Toy Store in Portland.