Emersyn Moore and Avery Stover visit the hot cocoa booth for some warm, chocolatey goodness. Photo by Seti Long

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - The smell of pancakes and sausage wafted from the Gridley Community Building as families came out for the annual Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch hosted by Gridley Parks and Recreation.

For $5.00 breakfast guests got a plate full of as many pancakes, eggs, and sausage they could eat and their choice of pink lemonade, punch, or hot chocolate with all the fixings!

While some dug-in to breakfast, others enjoyed making crafts at the activities table, running through “Whoville”, taking selfies with the Grinch or with Santa, admiring the creative gingerbread houses entered in the contest or bidding on some of the gorgeous silent auction baskets.

Ashley Ayala, Gridley Parks and Recreation director, announced the winners of the gingerbread house contest and auctions just before the Grinchmas breakfast concluded.

A sugar-coated scene of chaos featuring a ferocious dinosaur took first place for the gingerbread contest; second place went to entry number 1 – a very large, well-landscaped ginger-home; and third place went to entry number 5.

Ayala said the event turned out “better than anticipated” with a very large turnout. It was reported by Gridley Parks and Rec that over 450 breakfasts were served and that the event raised $600 to be donated to the GHS Class of 2023 Sober Grad Night.

Gridley Parks and Recreation would like to thank the volunteers and partners that made the event possible, including her staff, Gridley Lions Club, Gridley Quota Club, Gridley VFW Post 5731, GHS CSF, Sycamore School CJSF, GUSD, GHS, Edward Jones, Caldwell Enterprise Inc., Knights of Columbus, Edson and Vicki Smith, and Tressie.

Ayala would also like to extend a special thanks to those who donated to the silent auction.