As the town of Dunellen ages, so does the annual tradition of Breakfast with Santa. The event had taken place on Saturday, December 8th from 8am-12pm at John P Faber Elementary School in the Faber in the all-purpose room. The event was run by adult volunteers as well as student volunteers dressed as elves. These students served each person, who paid $8 each, an array of sausage and pancakes as well as their choice of juice or water. Each adult received two pancakes whereas each child received one pancake as well as one sausage.
Breakfast with Santa has continued to be an annual tradition offered to anyone seeking to have a fun time with their families. The yearly event is curated by select students that are part of Project Graduation in hopes to raise money for the graduating class, this year's being the class of 2019.
The event proceeded to be filled with an array of children surrounded by their friends as well as their family members as they played around the room and ate breakfast. As the event continued to progress, parents conversed with each other about the event around them and placed tickets that they purchased by the door inside of gift baskets in hopes of winning them.
“I think that it’s improved. It looks very festive and it’s a nice atmosphere so it definitely has improved,” parent Jennifer Cote responded when asked about how the event has developed over the years.
The event continued to sprout into something bigger as children took pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, played by Doug and Karen Meyer and after they were given candy canes to be reminded of their time at the event taking place.
When asked about his experience, ‘Santa’, played by Doug Meyer, responded by stating “Every year it is a little bit different, but whatever year I’m in is my favorite.”
The tradition of Santa Claus began about 280 A.D. when a man that had gone by the name St.Nicholas was born in what is now called modern-day Turkey and he was looked at as a kind of generous man for his deeds and was viewed as a legend. It is believed that he gave up all of his wealth and traveled along the countryside to help the poor and sick rather than live with a great deal of his money. As time passed, St.Nicholas became known as the protector of children and sailors due to his heroic deeds and widespread popularity. As the early 18th century arrived, St.Nicholas gained popularity in New York and was newly nicknamed Sinter Klaas which was a shortened version of what he was previously called. As time continued to progress, St. Nicholas was eventually renamed Santa Claus and looked at as the jolly fat man with a big white beard and a bright red coat.