During the second annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Flint Hills Discovery Center, participants enjoy hot breakfast, a candy cane scavenger hunt, ugly Christmas sweater contests, an obstacle course, gingerbread people decorating, picture frame decorating and photos with Santa. There are two events, the first took place last Saturday and the last is being held this Saturday, December 10 from 8:45am-noon at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
The FHDC prices the event to cover its cost; any additional profit is a bonus.
“Breakfast with Santa is our chance to share a little holiday cheer with the Flint Hills community,” said Stephen Bridenstine, Public Program Coordinator. “With festive foods, gingerbread people and photos with the jolly old man himself, there’s nothing else quite like it in town.”
This year, Event Coordinator Jonathan Mertz reached out to his friends and asked if they would like to help local children in need attend the event. With their donations, 30 spots have been offered to children at Manhattan Emergency Shelter and Big Brother, Big Sister.
“All I did was put a post on Facebook asking my friends if they would like to sponsor a child,” said Mertz. “The result was overwhelming!”
Both events sold out this year, with 150 guests each Saturday. Mayor Usha Reddi will make an appearance again this Saturday to help serve breakfast, sponsored by Hyvee, to families.
The FHDC will hold a similar event for New Year’s Eve: a family friendly, super hero themed party on December 31 from 6:30-9:30pm.