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Twitter Users React to West Village YMCA’s Santa Snub

By DNAinfo Staff on December 12, 2010 4:28pm  | Updated on December 13, 2010 6:16am

Santa Claus was replaced by Frosty the Snowman as headliner of the McBurney YMCA's holiday party this year, sparking outrage from some Twitter users.
Santa Claus was replaced by Frosty the Snowman as headliner of the McBurney YMCA's holiday party this year, sparking outrage from some Twitter users.
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Sean Gallup/Getty Images

By Olivia Scheck

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — Frosty the Snowman got a cold reception on Twitter Sunday after news broke that he would be replacing Santa Claus at a West Village YMCA event.

The New York Post reported that the McBurney YMCA on West 14th Street had "fired ol’ St. Nick in favor of Frosty" for their holiday bash in order to seem more politically correct.

The event, which featured arts and crafts, face painting and holiday music, was called "Lunch with Frosty," according to a flyer on the McBurney YMCA website.

But a spokeswoman for the organization insisted that the Post’s characterization was inaccurate – that Santa and Frosty were both in attendance at the event, held midday Sunday, and that Frosty was simply chosen to be the headliner.

"Santa was always invited to the event and he showed up," the spokeswoman explained, noting that both of the costumed holiday figures were played by volunteers.

"We were just looking at making the event open and inclusive."

Still, some Twitter users were outraged at the prospect of Frosty stealing Santa’s thunder.

"[W]hat is wrong w/ America??" Twitter user Kevon Brooke McCrary wrote, linking to the Post article along with the hash tag "#dumb".

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," another commenter with the handle "The_BMG" added.

Fox News reporter Todd Starnes also joined the conversation, pointing to the YMCA’s religious origins.

"They used to be a Christian organization, you know," Starnes, who lists his location as "New York, New York," tweeted following the Post report.

Despite the hubbub, the YMCA spokeswoman said the event was well attended and a lot of fun.