by laura beth

This year Kenny and I were excited to go to Knott's Berry Farm (Knott's Merry Farm this time of year). Last year grandma got free tickets and we were hoping to get them again this year but no luck. Instead we took advantage of the awesome deal offered by Knott's and Toys for Tots-free admission with the donation of a toy valued at $10 or more. The line was huge-there were 19,000 people the day that we went (29,000 the day before), but it didn't seem crowded after we got past the entrance. Brett and Cathi went with us. After going last year, Kenny thought that it was just thing to get us in the Christmas spirit. The park is all done up for Christmas with performances, decorations, carolers, a parade, a tree-lighting ceremony and a craft village with all kinds of wonderful handicrafts and gifts. We watched 2 different shows in the Birdcage Theatre: O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi (amazing-it brings tear's to my eyes) and Dickens' A Christmas Carol. We saw a saloon show at The Calico Saloon and then Snoopy's Cool Christmas on Ice. We all went on the Timber Mountain Log Ride and then Cathi and Kenny went on the Xcelerator (Brett and I couldn't handle it).We ate funnel cakes with Boysenberries and strawberries and walked about enjoying the sites until the park closed. I think anyone that lives in Orange County should make it a tradition to visit this festive park during the Christmas season. Knott's Scary Farm is just as good, but we couldn't go this year.