First Methodist Houston’s Westchase Campus was the place to be on Thursday, December 15th for the 8th Annual Wonderland in Westchase. More than 6,000 people joined the fun, which included Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus performances by area school choirs and magician Carter Blackburn.
Kids enjoyed train rides, hay rides, pony rides and fire truck rides, plus a climbing wall, mechanical bull, inflatables, and a petting zoo. More than 50,000 pounds of snow "fell" that evening and kids enjoyed a specially-created snow slide to allow them to enjoy a complete snow experience. The littlest guests whispered their Christmas wishes into Santa's ear, while posing for souvenir pictures and Mrs. Claus read the story of that first Christmas in her signature tent.
Area restaurants provided free tasting samples of their best food entrees. And members of the Westchase Rotary Club and West Houston Kiwanis Club staffed the concession stand.
This event has grown immensely in its eight years. The organizing committee is chaired by the Westchase District's VP of Communications Sherry Fox, and includes staff members from First Methodist Houston, Quillian Center, Westchase District and the Houston West Chamber of Commerce. Church members and employees of Westchase area businesses make up the hundreds of volunteers necessary to stage the event.
“Wonderland in Westchase has become a unique family Christmas tradition in west Houston,” said Fox. “This year, we added a lot of attractions for the older kids. And the fireworks just cap off the whole evening."
Wonderland guests brought food and toy donations which were shared by House of Amos and West Houston Assistance Ministries. An initial inventory showed that approximately 300 toys and $2800 in food donations were collected by WHAM and House of Amos.
Enjoy the Photo Gallery below.
