Winter officially begins on Dec. 21, but Children's Wonderland didn't wait to be transformed into a wonderland of that season Saturday night in Vallejo.

Despite the nearby Mad Hatter Festival going on at the same time, approximately 400 people showed up at 360 Glenn St. to take part in the venue's Winter Wonderland.

For those that registered for the event, a free toy was given, while the park was free for kids to play in as well as watch the tree lighting.

Longtime Vallejo resident Darlene Capenhurst knew about the other Christmas programs going on in the city Saturday night, but chose to take her grand kids to Winter Wonderland.

"Yeah I choose this place for sure. It's a great way to start the holiday season," Capenhurst said. "Even though we are often caught up in our own business, this is a great place to stop all that, relax and enjoy a safe place. It's a warm, family atmosphere and it takes me to that special place that is the true meaning of Christmas. The staff is warm and welcoming and when you look around and see all the children's faces lighting up, that makes it worth it. I've come here for years."

Darleene's grandkids Gianni, 4, Emariah, 9, and Julian, 10, all enjoyed getting presents on Saturday. Julian, a Las Vegas Raiders fan, received a new football but also enjoyed the food and snacks. Emariah enjoyed the tree lighting as well as her present.

On hand to watch was Greater Vallejo Recreation District General Manager Gabe Lanusse, who thought the event was much better in person rather than a drive-thru event that was held last year due to the pandemic.

"You feel the spirit of the community come out when you do this in person and that can be difficult to see when not face-to-face with people," Lanusse said. "I love seeing the kids' eyes light up when they first see the tree. You always have one person that cries when they see Santa because they are so overwhelmed. One girl was kind of scared tonight but still managed to hug Santa's leg. You can't get that type of stuff from a drive-through event."

Lanusse said the event didn't necessarily take him back to when he was a kid, but another special time in his life.

"I think about when my kids were little and taking them to places like this," Lanusse said. "We would go to lighted boat parades or go to the mall to visit Santa. We're in the process of building memories here, so I look at the families here tonight and I hope we were able to do that."