SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Despite being close to Santa’s busiest day of the year, Sacramento Elks Lodge No. 6 made special arrangements to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Claus for its annual Breakfast With Santa, held from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 21.

Glen Smith, Elks Lodge No. 6 Sunday Breakfast chairman, encouraged families to bring their own cameras or cell phones to capture the moment. 

“Grandma could bring her own camera or cell phone and take all the pictures she wants with Santa,” Smith said.

Smith explained that the event was intentionally designed with children in mind. 

“We host this breakfast for the children in our community,” he said. “Every detail, from the menu to the atmosphere, is meant to make them feel welcome and celebrated.” 

Child-friendly offerings included scrambled eggs, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, French toast and waffles topped with strawberries. In keeping with Santa's request, children ages 5 and under ate free.

Adults also enjoyed a full holiday breakfast that began with a ham carving station and included two egg casseroles, biscuits and sausage gravy, bacon, potatoes, juice and coffee. The cost was $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 10. Prices included tax, and tip donations to the Purple Pig charity were encouraged.

Clayton Hablitz, a regular Sunday breakfast customer for nearly 20 years, praised the event. 

“Glen and his crew have really outdone themselves with this Breakfast With Santa,” Hablitz said. “It’s an outstanding meal you don’t want to miss. Put it on next year’s calendar.”

According to Nicole Holton Alvarado, Elks Lodge No. 6’s loyal knight, the event was further enhanced through collaboration with craft fair chair Pam Zanze. Together, they selected 22 local artisans to participate in Mrs. Claus’ Pop-Up Christmas Faire, held alongside the breakfast.

Children visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus while families took photos and shopped for holiday gifts, including ornaments, Grinch stockings, roller skates, drums, checkerboards, tricycles, popcorn and stuffed Grinches.

Alvarado coordinated Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Faire and raised $440 for the lodge through vendor participation. Zanze was excused from the event as she, along with Elks Lodge No. 6 members Pamela McKinnon and Vera Lambert, spent the weekend in Pasadena working on the California-Hawaii Elks Association Rose Parade float. Zanze serves as Rose Parade pin chair for the Elks North Central District. 

Smith said he was especially proud that the lodge provided a festive experience at no cost to more than 30 children ages 5 and under, 40 older siblings and approximately 180 adults.

“This is what it means to be an Elk,” Smith said. “When we create a space where families can come together, children can experience the magic of Christmas, and no one feels left out, we are living our promise that Elks Care, Elks Share. Those moments are what stay with families long after the holidays are over.”