Local snow days delight families

Santa’s reindeer must have had the day off Saturday because when the big guy descended upon Balearic Park, the sleigh he was in was the property of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Much to the delight of snow-day revelers at Balearic, Santa was escorted to Costa Mesa in the police helicopter, and as they made their approach, the sirens sounded, Santa bellowed a “ho ho ho” on the loudspeaker, and everyone waved.

But Santa may not have been the biggest attraction, despite the crowds of people who watched as he landed and made his way to Santa’s Village to listen to the requests of Costa Mesa boys and girls.

For Kaitlyn and Kristen Hansen, it was the chance to decorate Christmas cookies using all kinds of goodies with the help of city of Costa Mesa recreation department staff.

“I did pink frosting and gummy bears,” Kaitlyn, 7, said.

But the fun for the girls, along with their sister Victoria, 6, and mom and dad, didn’t stop at the cookie decorating table. Evident by a big wet spot and a few blades of grass on her shirt, Kristen, 3, also had fun sliding down one of the sled hills.

About 60 tons of snow was dumped at Balearic Park to make two snow hills — one for the brave, like Kristen, and one for anyone a little nervous about barreling down a hill. There was also a play area, where kids could dig, build and feel the snow in an area where none falls.

“There’s nothing like watching the kids tumble down the hill,” said Keith Hansen, Kaitlyn, Kristen and Victoria’s dad.

Kristen had decided she wanted to take on the bigger hill by herself, and she flew down and got a bit wet, but it was all in good fun, and her spirit remained in tact.

But sledding, decorating and a visiting Santa was not unique to Costa Mesa on Saturday.

Santa also made an appearance at Bonita Creek Park in Newport Beach.

In Newport, people were entertained by pint-sized ballerinas dancing their routine, which they practiced for nine weeks, as well as hula dancers who were wishing residents a mele kalikimaka.

There was one hill people made their way down, and most who did were thrown off course and ended up off the sled or in the grass. The uncertain fate of the sledders was the best part for some.

Emily Erickson, 9, and Lauren Erickson, 6, were two such girls. As they came down the hill, their sled was knocked off the course, and they spilled out, bursting out with laughter. When asked why sledding was so much fun, Emily’s answer was simple: “Because it’s fun.”

Kenny Foster, 8, and Reese Baesman, 8, made their way down Costa Mesa’s big-kid hill simultaneously and were ecstatic at their ride.

“That was so awesome,” Kenny yelled as he picked himself off the grass. “I thought I was going to go backwards.”

Each park also had grub, and many people lounged on the grass and made picnics. Others made snowballs and giggled as they targeted a friend, sibling or parent, despite the no-snowball rule in Costa Mesa. In Newport, there was a snowball target range and kids could peg Santa, reindeer and Christmas trees with the snow, but many chose to have a little fun with each other.

“Throwing snowballs at my dad” was the best part of the day, said Lexi Kunkle, 12, of Newport Beach.

“It’s really fun to watch the kids play,” said dad Brett Kunkle.

This was the 17th annual winter wonderland extravaganza in Newport Beach, and each year the city has been getting more snow for people to enjoy. When it started, they had only seven tons of snow. In Costa Mesa, there’s been a few hiatuses, but this is the sixth consecutive year the city has put on the free event.

Both events also served as a way to raise money. In Costa Mesa, people were encouraged to drop toys in a box for the Fire Department’s Spark of Love Toy Drive, and in Newport Beach, soldiers were on hand to show kids a Humvee and army fire truck, while encouraging people to support the Yellow Ribbon American organization.

It was a day for laughter and fun, and both cities seemed successful.

“It’s just so amazing that every year they [Costa Mesa] do this,” said Debi Hansen after Santa landed. “It’s one of the best things Costa Mesa does.”