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Santa Visits North Texas, Lands Sleigh at Mrs Baird's Fort Worth Bakery

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Claus announced today that he will land his sleigh at Mrs Baird's in Fort Worth again this year to hear the holiday wishes of thousands of North Texas children. Parents are especially thrilled that the event, including professional color photos with Santa, sweet treats provided by Mrs Baird's, and fun crafts for the kids, is 100 percent free of charge.

Santa's Mrs Baird's bakery visits began in 1939 and were reinstated four years ago after an almost decade-long absence. Franklin Roosevelt was president, milk cost 14 cents a quart and bread cost 9 cents a loaf when Santa first visited the Mrs Baird's bakery in Fort Worth. A visit to the company's bakery on Summit Avenue became a holiday tradition with fond memories of visits with Santa and the aroma of fresh-baked bread. Santa's visits attracted so many people that police officers had to be hired to direct traffic.

In the last four years, close to 23,000 excited visitors stopped by the bakery to sit in Mr. Claus' lap and share their Christmas wishes. Parents were happy to avoid the lines, confusion and cost of visiting Santa at area malls. The events are free and include professional photographs with Santa and sweet treats. Due to demand, Santa's winter wonderland has more than doubled in size to accommodate guests visiting Old St. Nick.

"I love visiting with all my North Texas friends and families at Mrs Baird's," said Santa. "I hope the many families that visited me before will return. The thousands of hugs, and almost-that-many donuts, fill my heart and my belly!"

"Santa is an honored guest at Mrs Baird's and we're proud to host him at our bakery," said Dan Larson of Mrs Baird's. "We know the great joy he brings to people of all ages and we will provide a colorful, fun setting for his visit again this year."

Additionally, Santa and Mrs Baird's are collecting toys for Cook Children's Medical Center. Guests are invited, but not required, to bring a new toy to donate to the local hospital.

"Mrs Baird's visits with Santa are a community tradition," said Larson. "The community has supported Mrs Baird's for more than 100 years and hosting Santa at the bakery is just one way we say thank you."

Santa will park his sleigh at the Mrs Baird's Bakery at 7301 South Freeway in Fort Worth at the following times:

    Friday            December 10, 2010           5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
    Saturday          December 11, 2010           12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
    Sunday            December 12, 2010           12:00 pm - 4:30 pm

    Friday            December 17, 2010           5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
    Saturday          December 18, 2010           12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
    Sunday            December 19, 2010           12:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Guests can visit with Santa in a beautiful winter wonderland, have their picture taken with Old St. Nick and sample Santa's favorite Mrs Baird's sweet treats. The events are free and open to the public.

Mrs Baird's, a Texas tradition since 1908, produces and sells the highest quality bread, buns, rolls and sweet goods across Texas, Oklahoma and in parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Attention to detail and a "no shortcuts" approach to baking are just a few of the differences that make Mrs Baird's the favorite brand of bread in the region. For more information, visit www.mrsbairds.com.

SOURCE Mrs Baird's