Sherwood Park, Alta., mall Santa replaced for slapping hand of boy who tugged beard
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
SHERWOOD PARK – A mall just outside of Edmonton says it has replaced its Santa after he slapped a little boy’s hand when the boy pulled his beard.
Sherwood Park Mall, located in a hamlet east of Edmonton, says it would like to sincerely apologize to the boy and his family.
It says the Santa involved will not be returning and has been replaced.
The mall says its Santa experience briefly halted after the boy’s “unacceptable” experience and resumed by Saturday evening.
Cherry Hill Programs, which vets, trains and offers Santas to hundreds of malls and venues across Canada, including Sherwood Park Mall, says it is aware of the situation.
It says the boy tugged on their Santa’s beard hard and the Santa’s reaction does not align with its standards for guest interactions.
“The Santa has been replaced at this location so families can continue to experience the magic of Christmas during the remaining days of the holiday season,” it said in an email on Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 21, 2025.