A Christmas photo booth was provided for families awaiting Mr. and Mrs. Claus’ story during the Kingman Parks and Recreation Breakfast with Santa event on December 7. Photo by Noel Mabile
KINGMAN – Children got long-lived, personal time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Kingman Parks and Recreation Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 7. The Breakfast with Santa Event used to take place annually at the old Golden Coral until the restaurant closed earlier this year. Kingman Parks and Recreation held the breakfast at the Parks and Rec community center.
Each ticket cost $10, and for four people, the cost was $35. Guests were fed breakfast buffet-style, and sponsors such as Dunkin Donuts, Smiths, and Starbucks donated breakfast items to the event. Each family was treated to a gift basket filled with sweets and arts and crafts.
After eating, families could take photos at the photo booth or with Santa while waiting for him and Mrs. Claus to read the children a book.
This year, Mr. and Mrs. Claus read The Night Before Christmas at the second breakfast service. Children have the opportunity to talk to and interact with Santa and Mrs. Claus throughout the hour-and-a-half service.
Many people of Kingman Parks and Recreation have facilitated the Breakfast with Santa event for years. They notice the same people coming to the event yearly. A bond has been created between Parks and Recreation and the Kingman community. “You get to see the kids grow,” says one volunteer.
One positive result of the closure of the Golden Coral is that Kingman Parks and Recreation was able to be more creative about how the Breakfast with Santa event goes. The event feels more personal now as fewer people can come to the community center at the same time. This also gives all of the children a better chance to get personal time with Santa.
At the end of the event, Kingman Parks and Recreation handed out all extra food to local homeless citizens.
Noel Mabile
