'I love it here.' Kentucky Santa back to hear Christmas wishes at Mesilla Valley Mall
Santa’s back in town and ready to see you at the Mesilla Valley Mall this Christmas season.
Greg Scarboro of Kentucky has returned to Las Cruces for the fourth year as Santa Claus’ helper, taking photos and listening to visitors’ holiday wishes. Scarboro took over his big red chair before Thanksgiving and will remain in New Mexico through Christmas Eve.
“I love it here. I just love the people here. I love how they come in and they’re just friendly,” Scarboro said. “What’s really rewarding to me is that there’s so many of them that come in and they show their pictures from years before and these kids have changed so much.”
He said the season has been steady so far, but typically picks up the closer it gets to Christmas, so he suggested people take advantage of the short lines now. He also said he hopes to see more New Mexico State University students and adults in general visit him.
Pets are also allowed in the mall for pictures with Santa.
Santa’s set is located within the mall right outside Cineport 10.
Scarboro is available at the mall to take pictures from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays.
Beginning Dec. 18, Santa will be on his set from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.
On Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24, people can take photos with Santa from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I am so happy to have (Scarboro) back for another year as Santa. The local community gravitates toward this man, and he loved being in Las Cruces. We are fortunate to have him back for another year at Mesilla Valley Mall,” said Lorretta Piña, general manager of the Mesilla Valley Mall.
Piña said Sunday, Dec. 3 is Sensory Santa, where people with special sensory needs are welcome to visit with the man in red from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Scarboro added that he plans to shave his beard as a fundraiser again this year, though a local charity has not been finalized yet. Last year, following his last shift as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, Scarboro had his beard shaved by Joel Palomarez, owner of The Barbershop. Funds raised went to La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services.
Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on X, formerly Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Kentucky Santa back to hear Christmas wishes at Mesilla Valley Mall
