Annual breakfast with Santa starts off holiday season

More than 600 people gathered at the Columbus Center to officially start the holiday season and to have breakfast with Santa on Dec. 3.

The annual holiday celebration has been a tradition in the city and for the South Salt Lake Parks and Recreation Department for many years. Once again this year, people from the community gathered to be entertained by groups with South Salt Lake connections, eat breakfast, visit with Santa and spend time with neighbors and friends.

“It’s a great kickoff for the holidays,” Parks and Recreation Director Troy Bennett said. “It’s the city’s way to help celebrate the season and a good chance for family and friends to come together to celebrate the holiday spirit.”

The South Salt Lake Lions Club was on hand to provide an inexpensive pancake breakfast for families. After picking up breakfast, families headed into the gym to listen to local performers. It was the perfect chance to socialize with friends and family while listening to great entertainment, said South Salt Lake resident Jennifer Robison.

“We come every year. It’s a nice and inexpensive way to start the holidays,” she said. “It’s really important for our community to continue to do these types of events”

Breakfast with Santa wouldn’t be complete with out the big man himself, and Bennett said visitors were lucky enough to have the real Santa and Mrs. Claus come down from the North Pole for the event. While children waited in line to talk to Santa, the Youth City Council provided games and crafts for the children. The South Salt Lake Rotary Club acted as Santa’s elves this year and provided small wrapped presents for each child who visited Santa.

Two bikes were donated by the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce that were given away at the end of the event as well. Bennett said this year’s celebration was similar to what has been done in the past and is a true community effort.

“This event is one of the community events that brings all sorts of different groups together for a common goal,” he said. “The food, activities and even the entertainment has ties to South Salt Lake.”

Myrna Clark coordinates the event for the mayor’s office. She said this event continues to remain an important time for the city and its residents.

“It’s a bonding time for the community to see all the organizations that put in the time, effort and money for the residents,” she said. “It’s the chance to not only get out of their homes, but to mingle with their neighbors. It’s nice to have some downtime when someone else puts something together to get together as a community.”