St. Nicholas blesses Harahan

Gerard Gerarve has spent the last 15 years dressing up as Santa Claus, to the delight of children everywhere, but this year at St. Rita School in Harahan, he decided to deck himself out in the red vestments of St. Nicholas.

St. Nick read a book to two first-grade classes at St. Rita about the saint’s ministry to families in need. He also got the children to ask him questions afterwards.

It takes about six months for Gerarve to grow his authentic, gray beard. He stops shaving in June in order to get the full, tug-proof effect