Santa will make an appearance at the Santa Monica Pier this Saturday and children are invited for free rides on the historic Merry-Go-Round during his visit.
Santa will make his grand entrance on the Pier Bridge at 11 a.m. with the help of the Los Angeles County Lifeguards and Santa Monica Harbor Patrol.
They will escort the man in red by dory to the Carousel Building for photo opportunities and an array of activities.
After his arrival, Santa will stay around until 3 p.m. with free rides being offered on the Merry-Go-Round until he leaves.
Soda Jerks, the Pier’s old-fashioned soda fountain, will be on hand with hot cocoa and assorted holiday treats.
At 2:30 p.m. an old-fashioned Caroling Troupe from Green Brooms Music Academy will stroll the planks of the pier, singing everyone’s holiday favorites.
For the second year, the Santa Monica Pier will be partnering with Upward Bound to collect food items for families in need this holiday season.
Upward Bound, is a local non-profit organization that is working to eliminate homelessness among families with children by providing housing, supportive services and advocacy.
Food items will be collected in the Merry-Go-Round Building through Dec. 18.
“Our 2011 Holiday Open House provides the perfect time to bring families to the iconic Pier for merriment and fun and a chance for the little ones to tell Santa their wishes and dreams for the holiday season,” says Anne Railsback, Marketing Manager at Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation.
The world-famous Santa Monica Pier offers a variety of entertainment and shopping including Pacific Park amusement park, Heal the Bay Aquarium, a historic 1922 Merry-Go-Round, an old-fashioned soda fountain, plus specialty shops/carts, eateries, and several full-service restaurants.
Open year-round, and parking is available for a fee on a first come, first served basis.
For more information, call 310.458.8901 or visit www.santamonicapier.org.
