Area children have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast and get in an early message to Santa during the Vicksburg Convention Center’s 17th annual Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the convention center’s exhibition hall.

Tickets for the breakfast are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the convention center box office. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House on the campus of the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“We will have a McDonald’s pancakes and sausage breakfast, and Santa will be arriving about 8:30,” said center sales coordinator Sue Bagby, who is coordinating the breakfast. “We’re going to be giving away a giant bag of toys and door prizes with a total value of $1,000.”

Raffle tickets for the bag of toys, called “Santa’s bag,” are $1 each or six for $5, and available in advance or during the breakfast. Children will be able to have their picture taken with Santa and visit with him and be able to participate in other activities.

“We will have lots of crafts and games for the children to play; lots to do,” Bagby said.

Breakfast with Santa has been a well-attended event at the convention center, at times attracting up 500 children. Bagby said she was unable to recall how many children attended in 2017, but added, “We always plan for 600.”

For more information, contact Bagby at 601-630-2929