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Santa of the Year Gets Crowned
By Roxanne Nolan, Staff Writer, The City Daily
December 25
New York, NY. After the longest delay in the Santa Claus Con history, the finale picked back up on the early afternoon of Christmas Eve to crown this year’s Santa.
It took the judges hours to figure out the best way to determine a winner, resulting in a tiebreaker ho-ho-ho laugh battle between Con veteran Clifford Everett and fan-favorite Nate Lambros. Votes poured in via the Con’s app, and the results were close! This year’s hat ultimately went to… Clifford Everett! Delighting livestreamers and audience members alike, the finale was moved from the Plaza Hotel to Radio City Music Hall. Everett got to dance with the Rockettes in their afternoon shows.
Even after a full roster of events the day prior, the audience came out in full force to support these Santas. Not everyone made it, though. Judge Ron Doty had to miss the festivities due to a bout of food poisoning.
New Yorkers were woken up by an unexpected explosion that’s still being investigated at the Statue of Liberty in the very early morning hours. Sources say it was supposed to be part of the finale celebrations, but a malfunction caused the fireworks to be set off all at once. We’ve reached out to the Con and the police department for comments.
Follow along on social media for more updates. See you next year for the 51st Santa Claus Con!
672 comments
@GarlandAndTinsel0102: You guys, we did it! We saved Nate! Even though he didn’t win
@ChristmasSparkles50
He’s a winner in our hearts.
@TeamSantaCameron: Maybe in his elf helper’s heart, but def not mine. Still #TeamCameron forever and always.
@YoureAMeanOneMissesFinch: A “malfunctioning” fireworks show? Unless the show was supposed to be at the bottom of the Upper New York Bay, I saw no fireworks. Something for sure went down at this year’s Con…
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Chapter 43
SCARLETT
One year later—Christmas Eve
Strasbourg, France
Why are you dressed like Miss Claus?” Cleo asks, squinting into the camera.
“It’s the holidays. This is just what I wear now,” I say, defending my Christmas fleece and red jacket. Trying on Christmas was so last year, but turns out, I don’t want my money back quite yet. “And it’s not Miss. What’s the title for when you’re not married but you’re also not single? Ms.?”
Kate smirks. “Ms. Claus and Hot Santa. Who knew you’d find your match competing in a Santa-themed Con?”
There was no hiding from my sisters the news headlines about last year’s Santa Claus Con that took the internet by storm. Did I lie to them about why I had to keep my participation in the Con from them? Yes. Did they feel bad that I bailed on a family trip for a reality competition event? Also, yes. Were they understanding once I made it up to them by going on a family trip to Taiwan for Lunar New Year? Definitely.
“Does Nathan’s sweater also light up and blink?” Cleo asks.
Nathan leans into view and waves to my sisters. “Don’t insult me, Cleo,” he says with a half-grin.
Cleo laughs. “Glad someone’s still got some sense! Hope you’re giving the elves some much-deserved time off.”
I arch a brow. “Ha, ha.”
“Have fun, you two,” Kate says before we end the video call.
I snuggle into Nathan’s side as we stroll through Place Kléber, winding past stalls selling toys, books, vin chaud, and Alsatian food that smells so good my mouth waters.
“Well, it’s not warm and we have yet to find anything with pineapple, but this might be the most magical place I’ve ever seen,” I say, breathing in the scent of freshly baked dough.
