Kiwanis Club of Carefree Brings Holiday Magic to Nearly 2,400 Attendees at “Christmas for the Kids” Celebration
Carefree, AZ (December 16, 2025) — The Kiwanis Club of Carefree once again delivered an unforgettable day of holiday joy at the annual “Kiwanis Christmas for the Kids” event, held on December 6 in the center of Carefree. This year’s celebration welcomed over 790 children and over 1,550 adults, transforming downtown Carefree into a festive wonderland filled with music, games, food, and community spirit.
One of the biggest highlights of the day was the raffle of over 68 brand-new bicycles—small, medium, and large sizes—assembled in partnership with Walmart. “Walmart continues to be an outstanding partner,” said Registration Manager Mike Poppenwimer. “They helped us purchase and assemble every bike. Their support means the world to us.”
The event also featured a variety of attractions that kept families smiling from start to finish. Children lined up early for the always-popular cotton candy booth, which held the title of longest line of the day. More than 1,000 hot dogs were served, and delighted families enjoyed tractor hayrides, balloon animals, wildlife encounters with Southwest Wildlife, and a visit from Zeke the Camel.
The stage came alive when “Cowboy Santa” Gary and his talented horse Dusty entertained the crowd with classic Christmas carols. Dusty, a star in his own right, wowed the audience with a series of tricks—earning plenty of applause and even sharing a few kisses with his cowboy companion.
Adding to the magic, Santa and Mrs. Claus made a grand entrance by limousine, courtesy of Cave Creek Limo, bringing even more excitement to the event. Performers from Desert Foothills Theater also delivered festive numbers that added to the joyful atmosphere.
A critical part of the event’s success came from the student volunteer groups who showed up ready to work. From Cactus Shadows High School, members of the Key Club, Ambassadors, Aktion Club, and the Football Team volunteered alongside the Carefree Christian Academy Key Club.
Volunteer Group Manager Barbara Pearse praised their efforts:
“We had about 50 kids volunteering, and they were incredible. They arrived on time, served over 1,000 hot dogs, cotton candy, oversaw games, and the football team handled the heavy lifting—tables, chairs, tents, everything. I was so proud of these hardworking kids from our Cave Creek/Carefree schools. We truly couldn’t have done it without them.”
The event ran smoothly under the lively direction of Master of Ceremonies Geno Orrico, dressed head-to-toe as an elf, who kept the crowd entertained and announced the bike raffle winners with holiday cheer.
The Kiwanis Club of Carefree extends its heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, sponsors, student groups, staff, and community partners who helped bring this cherished holiday tradition to life. Their dedication ensures that local children and families experience a festive celebration they will remember for years to come.
For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Carefree, its programs, or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.carefreekiwanis.org.
