He may be retired, but Jim Weedon still wears a suit…a Santa suit! A resident of Greenspring retirement community in Springfield, Weedon recently started a new career impersonating St. Nick.
About four years ago, Weedon grew a long white beard. His daughter, a costume designer in New York, thought it resembled Santa’s beard so she decided to make him a one-of-a-kind Santa Claus costume. Three fittings later, Weedon had his very own Santa suit complete with faux fur and brass buttons.
Last year, Weedon was the official Macy’s Santa Claus at the former Springfield Mall (now Springfield Town Center). He worked at the store during the three weekends leading up to Christmas. This year, he’s already booked for a number of events including two upcoming breakfasts at nearby churches and appearances with the Greenspring Chorister’s choral group for their annual holiday concert. Weedon has also served as Santa Claus at an annual brunch held at Greenspring for the last three years; this year, almost two dozen children (mostly grand- and great-grandchildren of residents) attended the brunch.
The most interesting request he’s received from a child? Weedon said a little girl, about 6 or 7, once asked for the Madden NFL video game. After he inquired if she liked watching football, she responded that no, she was asking for the game for her father who watched football day and night. When asked what she wanted, the little girl responded with a sleeping bag – so she could fall asleep watching football with her dad.