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Christmas In Land O' Lakes

By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT

IN THE LOOP

Published: December 10, 2008

Pasco County is set to play host to a high profile visitor over the next few days. Santa Claus is coming to town to help residents ring in the holiday season.

The Land O' Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, will have a Breakfast with Santa Dec. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. for children 6 and younger.

Elena Williams, a recreation leader at the center, said she thinks it will be a wonderful free event for children and their caregivers to attend.

"We will have the breakfast for the children with Santa Claus," Williams said. "We will also have arts and crafts, a bouncy house, a jazz choir and the children can get their picture with Santa. This year we will have something different with a story time with Mrs. Claus and both Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be giving out presents to all the children."

The park is expecting about 100 children to attend and the last day to register is Dec. 10. Williams said caregivers should come to the complex to sign up or if they can't make it in, then try to call (813) 929-1220.

The Heritage Park Foundation also will have a traditional holiday celebration at the Land O' Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Dec. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Festivities will include area church and school choirs, a Bell's Angels choir, an award winning puppet team, holiday sugar cookies, hot apple cider and a few long-time residents like Will Weatherford will share hometown tales.

Over Christmas break, many students will be out of school leaving parents with the decision of what to do with them. The Recreation Complex is offering Winter Fun Camps from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22-24 and Dec. 29-31. The camps are for ages 6 to 12 with a fee of $40 for one week or $60 for both. Children attending the camps must bring their own lunches.

"We are planning on having arts, crafts, activities and games," Williams said. "We plan to keep them very busy."

Registration for the fun camps ends Dec. 13. Again Williams encourages caregivers to show up to register. For more information, call (813) 929-1220.

Reporter Suzanne M. Schmidt can be reached at (813) 948-4288 or sschmidt@mediageneral.com.

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