7/8/06 — Branson, MO, U.S.A
— Russian-born comedian Yakov Smirnoff, who played Grandfather Frost in his native country was inducted into the Order as the 300th member by executive director Santa Tim Connaghan at the first-ever convention of the Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas was held in Branson, Mo. July 6 through 9 in Branson, Mo. More than 300 Santas attended, along with 100 Mrs. Santas and an assortment of elves. —
Photo by Tim Dillon, USA TODAY staff