Claus Célèbre

During the holiday season, there are many “men about town” in Palm Beach. Some of them, of course, put on black tie for the variety of tradionally formal festive occasions. 

But townspeople who catch a glimpse of Santa cruising around from Thanksgiving to Christmas have Larry E. Wave to thank for a bit of seasonal cheer. 

Wave, 79, especially when Santa-suited up, is a Kris Kringle doppelgänger behind the wheel of a vintage mid-’80s Volkswagen Rabbit drop-top, his reindeerless “sleigh,” as he calls it. The beard is authentic, as is the twinkle in his eye and the joy he takes in bringing a “kinda nutty” touch to usually quite staid Palm Beach. His route, mostly along County Road and Cocoanut Row in the Midtown section of town, is intended as his gift to residents and visitors, especially the kids, he says, noting that he sometimes hands out Toblerone bars, and allows some children and “potential Mrs. Clauses” to climb into his car for a spin with Santa.

As one would expect from someone whose resemblance to St. Nick is so  spot on, the Palm Beach Santa, who has worked as a handyman and carpenter for many years on the island, has always loved Christmas and plans to continue his jaunts for as long as his transmission cooperates. 

Larry E. Wave cruising around Palm Beach.
(Photo by CAPEHART)