Santa Claus stopped in for a quick visit to Manzanita Park in Hacienda Heights on Thursday night. The man in red delivered Christmas cheer and gifts to hundreds of good little boys and girls on Kwis-mas Avenue.

“We had more than 262 children visit with Santa for our annual Here Comes Santa event,” reported Cheri Jimenez, recreation supervisor with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.

She said the county trucked in lots of snow so local kids could enjoy sled riding and make some snowmen. Tots could also ride a toy train on the basketball court, while others enjoyed the two bounce houses.

“Every child got a toy or plush animal, thanks to New Horizons Caregivers and the California Highway Patrol,” Jimenez added.

To take off the winter chill, families were served hot chocolate and cookies. Then it was back to the North Pole for St. Nick so he can prepare for his big night next week.

—Staff report