Kids Start the Day Off Right with Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast was no doubt the favorite meal of the day for 5-year-old Logan Butler Dec. 18. That's because he got to eat with Santa Claus.

Logan, along with more than 300 parents and their children, headed out to mall's annual Breakfast with Santa, presented by WQAL. For $10, guests dined on scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns and hotcakes. They then visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus, received a goodie bag and were treated to a movie at Cinemark Strongsville. One lucky child even got to dine at Santa's table.

Other activities included a holiday craft station, where children made a frame to display their pictures with Santa, as well as face painting, a place to make reindeer food and a table where children decorated cards for patients at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.

Special guests, including Mr. Jingeling, Frosty, Rudolph and Westie, the Westfield SouthPark mascot, also made appearances at the breakfast.

The annual event is in its 10th year, according to Andy Selesnik, marketing director at Westfield SouthPark.

"People are definitely in the spirit today and it is one great big party," Selesnik said.

But no one seemed to feel that holiday spirit more than the guest of honor himself: Santa Claus.

 "We do this every year and the kids really enjoy it," Santa Claus said, smiling as a long line of children formed in front of him.

"It's always exciting to see the kids each year," Mrs. Claus added.

Among those in line were 7-year-old Samantha Nicoana and her brother, Jeremy, 4, who both brought their Christmas wish lists.

"This is such a great event," said mom Jennifer Nicoana. "The kids were so excited they could hardly sleep last night. We'll definitely be back next year."         

One dollar from each ticket sold was donated to Q-104's Q-Cares for Kids Holiday Charity effort for The Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.

The holiday fun and goodwill will also continue on Tuesday, Dec. 21, as Westfield SouthPark and WDOK 102.1 partner up to celebrate favorite Northeast Ohio Holiday Traditions.  A charity screening of "A Christmas Story" will take place at 10 a.m. at Cinemark Strongsville. Tickets will be sold at the door starting at 9:30am for $3 each and will benefit Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Then from noon to 2 p.m., Cleveland's Toy Soldier will make a special appearance at the Cinemark Court. At 6 p.m., Mr. Jingeling will delight young and old with songs and stories from Christmases past in the Cinemark Court.  After the performance the "Keeper of The Keys" will do a special key signing of the paper keys.