News : Breakfast with Santa offers food, photo sessions

The Johnson children with Santa.

Molly Haisman colors during the VPRD Breakfast with Santa.

Abigail Moubry plays with the elf finger puppet she received in her gift bag from Santa.

Jessie Noren and Caitlyn Kruckenberg help serve the Mangold family during Breakfast with Santa.

Amillianna and Braden King met Santa during the VPRD Breakfast on Saturday.

Mason Kearns plays with toys he received from Santa during the breakfast.

For twenty years or so, Santa has been sharing breakfast with Vinton area children. This year, he met them at the Skate Center, where many families enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes and eggs and ham, before the children lined up to have their photos taken and receive a gift bag.

The Vinton Parks and Recreation Department helps Santa organize the event each year. The first few years, said Duane Randall, included a breakfast from Hardee's. Now VPRD personnel prepare the breakfast with the help of some volunteers.