MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Christmas carols filled the air and decorative lights illuminated the night sky during Camp Pendleton’s South Mesa Community Center Winter Festival, Dec. 8.
The festival, held outside the community center, brought together more than 300 families of the housing area to partake in the evening’s entertainment and get into the holiday spirit.
Service members and their families enjoyed free pony rides, face paintings, moon bounces, paintball gun shooting area, character drawings, and a special surprise visit.
“The community center really pulled out all the stops,” said Krystal Wetmore, military spouse, Camp Pendleton. “There are so many things to do; the only problem is there might not be enough time to do everything.”
More than 50 volunteers came to work at the carnival and Camp Pendleton’s Stepp Stables’ horse handlers came to assist with pony rides.
“With Christmas right around the corner this festival is exactly what we all need to get into the holiday spirit,” said Wetmore.
During the festival, children from the community entertained the attendees by performing dance routines to Christmas and hip-hop music while the families of the community filled up on holiday decorated deserts.
As the event came to an end, the families of South Mesa were given a surprise visit from Santa Claus.
“We had no idea that Santa Claus was going to show up,” said Lance Cpl. Sam Morrison, radio operator, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton. “This is definitely a surprise that me and my family will always remember.”