Santa stops at St. Ignatius Christmas Carnival
Karen Peterson photo
Michael Incashola, 5, shares his Christmas list with Santa at the St. Ignatius carnival.
Karen Peterson photo
Karen Peterson photo
Kalen Branson, 5, is impressed with how well Rudolf turned out.
Karen Peterson photo
Bella Inmee, 1, selects ribbon for a holiday decoration
Karen Peterson photo
The Mission Valley Ambulance Service supplies craft items for folks to make holiday decorations.
Karen Peterson photo
Izabel Evans, 8, patiently waits as Tristen Adams, 13, paints a snowman.
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ST. IGNATIUS – Michael Incashola, 5, sat on Santa’s lap and said he would like a pogo stick for Christmas. He explained that he asked for such a thing because “it bounces up and down.” He used his finger to demonstrate the horizontal lift he hoped to get.
Several hundred children hiked up onto Santa’s lap during the St. Ignatius Christmas Carnival on Friday night, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The event was moved to the elementary school’s multipurpose room due to a heating problem at the Community Center. The new location was appreciated by event organizers, but it provided half the space, which made this year’s carnival seem like it had the highest number of attendees in the past seven years.
“The school offered their facility otherwise it would have been canceled,” said organizer Janis Heffern. “It does look like a lot of people came out this year.”
Local groups and businesses sponsored activities for kids. Area businesses donated about $3,000 in prizes for a free drawing for blankets, toys, books, fishing poles, lamps, waffle irons and electronics. Lake County Bank volunteers led the cake walk. Old Timer Cafe sponsored Santa. Mission Valley Ambulance helped kids make ornaments. Mountain View Cenex was at the beanbag toss, and Randi Gariepy sponsored face painting. The Parent Teacher Organization held a silent dessert auction with a peanut butter cheesecake taking the highest bid at $35.
“We are raising money to help benefit kids with different programs like helping teachers buy school supplies and the playground project,” said Mary Leishman, PTO president.
Tristen Adams, 13, painted holiday images including snowmen, wreaths, trees and reindeer on the faces of many children at the face painting station.
“I volunteered to do this because it seemed fun and I like to draw,” she said.
Chamber of Commerce member Fred Gariepy said the carnival was about giving back to the community.
“This is all about thanking our customers,” he said. “The carnival is for the little guys: our future customers.”
