OCEANSIDE — A winter wonderland village sprang up in the medical plaza on Vista Way for two evenings of family fun Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.
Santa Claus parachuted in the first night to kick off the festivities. The second night snow was brought in for children to enjoy.
On both evenings there were complimentary hot cocoa and apple cider, train rides, bounce houses, climb-in balls and photos with Santa. Food trucks, a petting zoo, balloon sculptures, face painting and crafts were also part of the fun.
Local elementary schools got involved by painting village storefronts that marked the promenade entry to the winter wonderland. The top three storefront designs won cash prizes for the schools that created them.
Another bright spot in the festivities were the animated holiday lights that adorn The Super Dentists building. The lights come on every night in December, and blink to the rhythm of holiday music played on a local radio station.
“They’re pretty neat to watch,” Jordan Wendelken, creative director for The Super Dentists, said.
The two-day wonderland was sponsored by The Super Dentists pediatric dentist and orthodontist group, which is located within the plaza. All money raised from entry donations and vendor contributions went to Classics 4 Kids, Music in Tune with Education.
“The event lets kids have firsthand experience donating, and have fun while they donate to a good cause,” Wendelken said.
Wendelken said with budget cuts squeezing out music education in schools, Classics 4 Kids music appreciation performances are sorely needed and a cause the orthodontist group rallies to support.
The Super Dentists group takes every opportunity to educate children. The group visits schools with a tooth fairy to teach students the importance of brushing and flossing.
The Super Dentists group also holds a “spooktacular” haunted house in October at the East Lake orthodontist office. Inside the haunted house children must pass through the hallway of smoking and candy to get to the root canal room, where old people are each holding a giant tooth. Wendelken said there are escape routes if kids get scared, but many parents want to educate their children on the consequences of not taking good care of their teeth.
