Mary Bowerman

USA TODAY Network

Shoppers at America’s largest shopping mall will see a new face this weekend: A black Santa Claus.

For the first time in the mall’s 24-year history, a black man will play Santa Claus,The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Larry Jefferson will pose for photos with children and adults alike from Thursday to Sunday as part of the Santa Experience, the Tribune reported.

Santa Experience co-owner Landon Luther told the Tribune the move to hire a black Santa was a long time coming.

“We want Santa to be for everyone, period,” Luther told the Tribune.

Jefferson is a retired U.S. Army veteran from Texas. He signed a four-day contract to work in Minneapolis, and will return to Texas to finish the holiday circuit, the Tribune reported.

Jefferson told WCCO-TV that children of different races are always excited to see him.

“It gives them something to identify with, but Santa is still just Santa,” Jefferson told the station.

The Santa Claus experience is by appointment only.

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