More than 500 people enjoyed a day of holiday cheer at Infineon Raceway on Saturday at the 5th annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party.

The raceway hosted 260 Sonoma Valley children and their families at the event, which featured caroling with the Sonoma Valley High School choir, refreshments, face painting, balloon animals and a visit from Santa Claus and two of his elves.

The event, which has attracted more than 1,100 children since its inception in 2005, culminated with Santa Claus presenting each child with a bag full of toys. Children ranged in age from newborns to 17-year-olds.

More than 500 people enjoyed a day of holiday cheer at Infineon Raceway on Saturday at the 5th annual Race to the Holidays Christmas Party.

The raceway hosted 260 Sonoma Valley children and their families at the event, which featured caroling with the Sonoma Valley High School choir, refreshments, face painting, balloon animals and a visit from Santa Claus and two of his elves.

The event, which has attracted more than 1,100 children since its inception in 2005, culminated with Santa Claus presenting each child with a bag full of toys. Children ranged in age from newborns to 17-year-olds.

“It was awesome. When I saw the NASCAR stock car in front, I knew this was going to be fun,” said Ky Wagner, 9, from the Willmar Center for Bereaved Children in Sonoma. “This was my first time here and it was great."

"It's fun. It's nice getting the presents and seeing Santa. It really makes it a special Christmas," said Gloria Mora-Soto, 9, who has attended the party since its inception in 2005 and is from Friends in Sonoma Helping.

The festive event was held under rainy skies, but all of the children left the raceway with new toys and warm smiles. Following the present distribution, all were treated to a free lunch at the Infineon Raceway Café.

“The boys really enjoy this event in a way that they can’t even express,” said Travis Curtis, staff employee at the Hanna Boys Center. “This is a childhood experience they haven’t all had and it means a lot to them.”

All children who attended the party were pre-registered through eight Sonoma Valley youth groups, including: Hanna Boys Center; La Luz; Teen Parent Program; Valley of the Moon Boys and Girls Club; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; Stand By Me Mentoring; Valley of the Moon Teen Center; and Willmar Center for Bereaved Children.

The raceway received a generous outpouring of support from the community as nearly 700 toys were donated for the party. Some of the drop-off locations included: Sonoma Valley Index Tribune; Sonoma Valley Sun; Gundlach-Bundschu Winery; Schell-Vista Fire Department; Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce; Sonoma Valley Fire Department; AAA; Sorento Imports and The Swiss Hotel. Good Riddance Hauling also donated their time to pick up all donated toys.

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