Thousands attend Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the countdown to the holidays continues, there is a tradition that many people love, which is the citywide Christmas party at the Prime Osborn.

Families had been camped out at the Prime Osborn Convention Center since 7 p.m. Friday in anticipation of the 21st annual Children’s Christmas Party of Jacksonville that started at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The line wrapping around the convention center parking lot onto Bay Street and Myrtle Avenue even reaching Dennis Street.

It’s an early-morning celebration that gives back to the community and makes the Christmas wishes of many children come true.

“I love to see Santa. I love to see Captain America,” Yokion Brown, who attended the Christmas party, said.

All through December, The Local Station and Ace Hardware sponsored a Positively Jax toy drive, collecting new, unwrapped toys for children up to 12 years old. The deadline to donate was Dec. 18.

Many who attended today’s party were able to recognize some familiar faces. Our News4Jax team was handing out presents to the community making sure every kid has a Merry Christmas.

Mayor Lenny Curry was also there helping give out bicycles.

When our reporter asked a little girl, ‘How excited are you on a scale of 1 to 10?" she responded, “100.”

“I’ve been seeing Spiderman and the princesses,” Miracle Tyson said.

The giveaway ran on a first come, first serve basis. Party organizers gave each child three tickets that can be exchanged for toys, and some were randomly stamped to receive bikes.

About 4,000 children attended the event and approximately 16,000 toys were handed out. The remaining toys were donated to Toys for Tots.