Lolita Harper
HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- Anyone who ever wondered what Santa Claus did
during the off-season got their answer Tuesday during the Christmas in
July celebration, presented by the city of Burbank.
Dressed in shorts and Hawaiian garb, Santa hung 10 with about 50 Burbank tots at McCambridge Park while they danced, created arts and
crafts, played games and ate special Christmas goodies.
Tots on the Town, part of the Burbank Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Department, sponsors such events periodically throughout the
year, program director Vicky O'Neill said. They are designed to give
children and their parents a chance to spark their creativity and
interact with other members of the community, she said.
Jennifer Christie, mother of 4-year-old Anneka, said she credits Tots
on the Town for her daughter's fascination with glitter.
"It's too messy to do at home, but with programs like these, I can
tell her to go to it," Christie said.
Christie said her car has many battle scars from where the glue from a
project was not quite dry and a glop of glitter ended up on the passenger
seat. Despite the occasional casualty, Christie does not hesitate to
involve her daughter in the events.
Beyond exciting craft opportunities, Christie said the program allows
Anneka to discover her own ideas and creativity. In fact, Anneka still
wears the bunny mask she made for herself at the Easter event.
"This is her chance to to do it her way. Mommy's just along for the
cookies," Christie said.
