Breakfast with Santa is always a big, festive event enjoyed by many each holiday season but, for one group of youngsters, it has become an annual tradition.

Brooke and Brendan Jones, Emma and Ashton Hollanti and Nate, Ava, Audrey, Lily and Claire Mackey have been attending Breakfast with Santa for eight years, enjoying time with friends and making memories aplenty for more than half a decade.

On Dec. 1, downtown Fountain Hills was abuzz with activity, starting first thing in the morning as Breakfast with Santa got rolling in the Community Center. This annual event hosted by the Town and Noon Kiwanis boasts pictures with the big guy, visits from Mrs. Claus, Frosty and Rudolph, activities, balloon toys, goodie bags, music and more.

Each year, the nine kids listed above can be found sitting as a group around one big table, enjoying their breakfast and time with their friends.

According to Claire Mackey, the best part of the big experience are the goodies. When asked why she enjoys Breakfast with Santa, she said, “Because you always get a gift bag and it’s fun to see stuff.”

Ashton Hollanti, though, said he enjoys the event because “it’s full of joy.”

Looking back over the years’ Audrey Mackey had little trouble picking out her favorite part of Breakfast with Santa.

“I like hanging out with my friends and family,” she said.

Brooke Jones agreed.

“It’s special because it’s a tradition,” she said. “Even if we don’t have a lot of classes together, we can still spend time together.”

Lily Mackey agreed.

“We’ve been doing this for a really long time,” she said.

Breakfast with Santa was only one part of the festivities this weekend, as the Community Center later played host to a holiday celebration featuring even more goodies, electric trains, activities, music and more. That evening, Stroll in the Glow was held in downtown Fountain Hills. Santa made yet another appearance alongside a live Nativity scene, horse-drawn wagons, a skating rink and, of course, the lighting of holiday display.