Gridley Lions were Santa’s helpers at the Gridley Parks and Recreation annual Breakfast with Santa event, held Sat. Dec. 6 at the Moose Club.

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – It wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa and Gridley’s Parks and Recreations “Breakfast with Santa” made sure to serve him up quite a morning feast.

Supported by the Gridley Lions Club volunteers, Gridley Parks and Recreations celebrated another holiday season with their annual holiday breakfast event but switched things up with a venue change.

Instead of the Guardian Building on the Gridley High School Campus being used, the Gridley Moose Club hosted the event.

“The Moose was willing to partner with us and let us use their facility at no cost,” said Amanda Kaelin of Gridley Parks and Recreations. She thanked Jim Roberts of the Moose for their assistance and generosity.

The Leishman Family smiles as they attend another annual Breakfast with Santa, making their own holiday tradition.

“It was great, and it allowed us to set up a bit differently,” Kaelin said.

The cozy quarters of the Moose provided a designated play area for younger children in the “kids room” while other guests voted on the gingerbread decorating contest, got creative at the crafts table or took a moment to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas at the Santa photo booth.

Gridley Lions Club was present snapping photos, if necessary, while other families chose to snap selfies with the big man in red. The Lions also volunteered in the kitchen, cooking and serving breakfast to guests, while helping clear tables.

As the event wound down, Kaelin shared preliminary attendance numbers with the Gridley Herald.

“Rough numbers are about 240, based on plates,” said Kaelin.

These two little “Cindy-Loo Whos” didn’t take after their “Grinchy” outfits and smiled ear-to-ear with the holiday spirit at Gridley’s Parks and Recreations holiday breakfast.

Breakfast with Santa did go well, with members of the community seeming to enjoy the pancake breakfast and hot chocolate bar with special topping options.

Once again, the gingerbread contest provided a creative look into ginger-engineers creations.

First place went to Raegan Rogers with her beach inspired theme, including palm trees, crabs made of orange slices and Santa being pulled by a team of sharks!

Her sister Carlee Rogers took second place and Ellie Rainey won third.

Patrons left with smiling faces and full stomachs.

“It was good,” said Kaelin, happy with the way the event ran. “It’s seemed well attended.”