Hundreds of children and their parents poured into the gymnasium in the Veteran's Memorial at 72 Bank Street for  CD-REC's annual holiday celebration that followed the City's Christmas Parade earlier in the afternoon of December 6, 2008. Children had numerous opportunities to jump in one of two inflatable bounce houses, decorate cookies or get their picture taken with Santa. Parents had a chance to win a basket of goodies and get their child's face drawn by a caricaturist. They could also go outside for free rides in a horse-drawn carriage provided by Boston Bridal Carriage. And, free popcorn and cotton candy was given out to everyone. Free trolley and handicapped transportation was provide between CD-REC and Government Center. "This is one of our most popular events," commented CD-REC Executive Director Grace Gerling. "We're working with Mayor Correia to make all of the holiday events a permanent fixture in Fall River," she added. For more information about CD-REC's programs, contact Program Director Jamison Souza at 508-679-0922. Click here to see Arts & The Holidays, here to see the Heritage Holiday House and here to see the tree lighting ceremony.
 

 (Top row, left) Mitch Coughlin, dressed as the Grinch, greets four-year-old Ciara Addington. (Top row, center) Members of the B.M.C. Durfee High School football team volunteer to clean up the gym after the event but enjoy some fun before-hand. (Top row, right) Jennifer and Jessica Lauzon carry the cookies that they decorated past a Santa cut-out. (Middle row, left) Caricaturist Tom Rosa from Connecticut draws eight-year-old Talayah Lewis as she sits on Shellise Jackson's lap. (Middle row, right) Cory Hines hands some cotton candy to Carol Giarruggo. (Bottom row, left) Case High School student Ashlee Sparfran hands a raffle ticket out as Durfee students Mackenna Ponte and Casandra Pedro assist. (Bottom row, center) CD REC's Afterschool coordinator Ashley Rego and Jamison Souza get a hug from Boston Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster. (Bottom row, right) Seven-year-old Yascila Pakeias poses for her picture with Santa Claus played by Community Development Re-Creation board chairman Pat Richards.