The Niles Park District is getting into the holiday spirit this year with a couple of events geared toward the children of Niles.
The biggest event of the season, officials said, is Breakfast with Santa, scheduled for Dec. 12 at the Howard Leisure Center, 6676 Howard St. Registration is going on now and space is limited for this event, which offers seatings at 8:30, 10 and 11 a.m.
“It’s extremely popular and we do it every year,” Robin Brey, recreation program supervisor of the Niles Park District, said. “We have about 120 families at each of the three seatings.”
The event, which costs $10 for residents and $12 for non-residents, is a breakfast buffet where Santa will make a visit, kids can then sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas and take a photo before heading back to their table to make a craft with their parents.
“We’ve got a lot of stuff packed into that hour,” she said.
The district has also set up Santa’s Mailbox in the Howard Leisure Center, 6676 Howard St., where children can place their letters to Santa and get one in return. Letters must be received by Dec. 11 for this free program and be sure to include a return address with the letter.
The park district will also be hosting a Santa skate at IceLand Skate & Swim Complex, 8435 Ballard Road, from 2:30-4 p.m. Dec. 20. Families can come out to skate with Santa and his elves to holiday music for $5, plus a $3 skate rental fee.
“I love how much enjoyment the kids get out of these events, seeing Santa and how everything is set up and decorated,” Brey said. “They just get super excited.”
Alicia Ramirez is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
