Ohio Santa Claus is Larry Durian, who has been performing as Santa for the past thirty-seven years. In 1974 Larry was attending UCLA and working in the Security Department at Bullock's Department Store in Sherman Oaks, California. The store decided to have a series of Breakfast with Santa and the Fashion Merchandise Department asked Larry if he would like to be Santa for four Saturday mornings leading up to Christmas. Larry didn't have to think twice. The store supplied him with a heavy woolen Santa Suit, a long "designer" wig and beard, and boot tops to cover his shoes. He used two down-feathered pillows for his cookie zone... and he was in business! Larry never looked back. And every year since, he's been Santa Claus!