Santa visits with his young guests at the Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 18 hosted by the Falls Creek Guest Ranch off Kauffman Road in Condon.
The Gibbs family came from Seeley Lake all dressed in their Christmas sweaters for the event.
Kelsie Brollier and Emma Smith serving pancakes and sausage to Big Sky Lake Cabin Owner Mark Wilson.
Ryan Wilson and her brother Cooper play with the train set and other toys while they wait to see Santa. Every child received at least one gift including a toy, pop gun or a stuffed animal.
Santa's Gingerbread House won first place in the Gingerbread House contest. He deferred the $100 gift certificate to second place, Rabecca Klassen.
Falls Creek Guest Ranch Owner Barbara Smith with her daughter Emma and grandson Henry.
Mini Santa Hale Devins from Seeley Lake poses with Santa.
Elf Rabecca Klassen helped with the various crafts and activities.
SWAN VALLEY – Caravanning from Kalispell on Saturday, Dec. 18, 20 members of the Wilson family dressed up, played and sang Christmas carols all the way "to the North Pole to see Santa," Ally Wilson said. When they arrived at the Falls Creek Guest Ranch Lodge, they were welcomed by the jolly old soul himself, treated to a pancake breakfast, enjoyed crafts, took photos with Santa and left with new toys and full tummies.
"This has been so fun," Wilson said smiling as her three children took turns climbing on the reindeer for a photo with Santa.
When Mark and Renell Wilson, cabin owners on Big Sky Lake, read about Santa's Village, they decide to invite the rest of the family from Kalispell. Mark said no one was hosting Santa in Kalispell so it was a great family outing in a beautiful place.
This was the second year for Santa's Village at the Falls Creek Guest Ranch and the first year attendees could enjoy Breakfast with Santa. Organizer Edward Klassen said several veterans in the community helped with the set up, his wife Heidi wrapped all the gifts and daughter Rabecca helped children with the crafts, activities and writing letters to Santa.
In addition to the North Pole atmosphere and enjoying the Lodge's signature pancakes and sausage, there were Christmas-themed crafts and activities for children, a Holiday Gift Tree to donate wrapped gifts to Condon youth and seniors in need and an opportunity to donate coats and gloves.
Anyone was welcome to enter the gingerbread house contest. Santa's #14 won by popular vote but turned over the winnings to the second most popular #13 made by Rabecca Klassen. She received a $100 gift certificate.
Attendees could also enter to win a Dollhouse and a $250 Visa Gift Card at the Wish It and Win It Tree. Vicky Arnold from Condon won the Dollhouse. Kampbell Bronson, whose family came all the way from Georgia, was blessed with the Visa Gift card.
Those who live in the Seeley-Swan attended the event as well as folks who live in the Flathead Valley and as far away as Georgia. Falls Creek Guest Ranch owner Barbara Smith estimated they served around 50 people. Santa was so busy spreading Christmas cheer, handing out gifts, posing for photos and wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas" that he was ready for an extra helping of pancakes by the end.
"This was amazing - the support and overwhelming amount of children that came out," Santa said grinning from ear to ear. "Everybody had a great time."
"It is just so great to open the lodge and watch the kids' faces light up," Barbara said. "It was a great morning."
Klassen add a big thank you to everyone who helped out as well as those who donated. He added an extra thank you to the Falls Creek Guest Ranch for opening up their "amazing Lodge" to host the event.
Reader Comments(0)