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Jade Gonzalez, 6, signs her letter for Santa Claus during the annual city of Sierra Vista children’s holiday party at the Ethel Berger Center on Saturday. In the background is Santa’s helper, Bea Groseclose. (Beatrice Richardson-Herald/Review) |
Posted on 11/23/2008 11:55:18 AM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Sierra Vista children were able to give Santa Claus an early heads up on their Christmas wishes on Saturday.
Kris Kringle and his wife were at the Ethel Berger Center as part of the Department of Parks and Leisure Services Annual Children’s Holiday Party.
Along with the man from the North Pole, children could write letters to Santa, make Christmas cards, get their faces painted or play bowling for snowmen, among other fun games, said Laura Killberg-Dolak, recreation supervisor for the Department of Parks and Leisure Services.
Meeting Santa was free, but parents also could purchase tickets for 25 cents each to play the games or buy snacks, such as hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.
“Very kid-friendly foods,” Killberg-Dolak said. “It’s meant to be a very low cost, economical holiday party.”
Other areas of the party helped children who wanted to not just get a present this year, but give one as well.
“There’s Santa’s Store, which is where we have cute little stuff that kids can buy with their tickets,” she said.
Volunteers would wrap the trinkets, like small rubber ducks, for free, so children could give them as gifts to their family.
Some of the entertainment at the event included a performance by local dance studio Dance Fusion, Lynn Klemski’s Performing Dogs and appearances by Miss Arizona Kimberly Joiner and Miss Sierra Vista Anna Chinen, who also sang.
Even with all these other options, nothing matched the excitement found in the line to see Santa Claus.
The eager children, some literally jumping for joy, could hardly wait to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas as they stood in a winding line that at times extended past the snaking path and outside the room.
Though a little shy, Maggie Kaiser, 4, knew exactly what she wanted when she sat up with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“A trampoline and a doll house,” Maggie said, chewing on her candy cane the couple had given her.
Anna Lowry, 6, was even more prepared.
“I gave him a note,” she said.
In her note, Anna said she asked Santa for “fairy toys” and “a toy that acts like a real baby, but it’s actually a toy.”
Even with all the excitement found in line, some young children just weren’t ready to meet Santa and stood clinging to their parent’s leg while he beckoned them with a gloved hand.
Chris Swan, a coordinator with the Department of Parks and Leisure Services, said the children’s party first started in 1995.
“It first started in the park,” Swan said, “and then I believe they brought it down here from the park in 1999.”
More than 100 people were in attendance in the early hours of the party, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sponsors of the event included the San Pedro Kiwanis just Kids Inc. Foundation, Lawley Motors and Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative.
Herald/Review reporter Derek Jordan can be reached at 515-4680 or by e-mail at derek.jordan@svherald.com.
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Jade Gonzalez, 6, signs her letter for Santa Claus during the annual city of Sierra Vista children’s holiday party at the Ethel Berger Center on Saturday. In the background is Santa’s helper, Bea Groseclose. (Beatrice Richardson-Herald/Review) |
As long as the kids are happy. Maybe they’re trying to beat the ACLU lawsuits on “Christmas”.
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