Christmas will be coming early to Hernando County, as the YMCA of Hernando County will host two family holiday events on Dec. 17. Both of these events will be open to the community, and they promise to be much in the way of festive fun.
Guests can enjoy Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 am on Dec. 17 at the Hernando County Basketball Court A at the Hernando County YMCA Branch, located at 1300 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill.
“Typically, we have about 200-250 people that come out for this event,” said Amber Slusser, Branch Executive Director of the YMCA of the Suncoast – Hernando County. “We have games, arts and crafts, pancake breakfast and of course, pictures with Santa.”
Breakfast with Santa has become a time-honored tradition at the YMCA of Hernando County. “We have been doing this for 16 years now,” said Slusser. Admission to Breakfast with Santa is $5. Sign up today at activecommunities.com.
A newer tradition will also be coming to Hernando County in the form of the family-fun Christmas event from 11 am to 2 pm on Dec. 17 at Kennedy Park in Brooksville. This all-inclusive event is custom designed to help area residents spend quality time together around the holidays. This event will feature lunch, arts and crafts, music, guest speakers, games, contests, face painting, vendors, and gift distribution from the YMCA Angel Tree Program.
“This is the second year that we are helping host this event as there are two community volunteers that spearhead the organizing of this event for South Brooksville,” said Slusser. “This event is the one that we have part of the Angel Tree Program tied to, and we host the Family Fun Day as a way to provide a fun-filled Christmas event to bring some cheer to the families in the area.”
The Angel Tree/Holiday Giving Tree program revolves around a tall tree in the lobby of the YMCA Hernando County branch, lined with ornament tags that bear the Christmas wish lists of children and families in need. Those who cannot stop by the Y can scan a QR code available on the Holiday Giving Tree fliers to make a donation for the giving tree. Y staff members will take it there and do all the shopping required.
This year’s family-fun Christmas event theme is “Christmas Toy Shop.”
“It’s a general Christmas theme,” says Slusser.
