Hundreds of children, teachers and caregivers packed the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton on Monday for the Vikings of Solvang’s annual Kids Christmas Party for special-needs children.

Wreaths and Christmas decor gave the space a festive and welcoming atmosphere as attendees moved through a program that included a lunch of sliders and fries, live Christmas music, and a final stop to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, with each child also leaving with a bucket of Olsen’s cookies.

What began in 1979 as a modest gathering of about two dozen children has grown steadily over the decades, with this year’s celebration drawing more than 1,100 guests, the largest turnout in the party’s history, according to Vikings event chairman Bill Bernstein.

“Last year, it was just a little over 900; now, we’re at 1,149,” he said.

Bernstein said the day is designed not only for the children but for the adults who support them.

“This is also for the caregivers and the teachers to say thank you to them for taking care of the kids,” he said. “The teachers get a gift certificate to use for their class to do whatever they need.”

Volunteers in blue blazers and Santa hats greeted guests with warm smiles, pausing for hugs and fist bumps as they guided groups from one stop to the next. Viking Chief Joe Tyson stood nearby watching the steady stream of families move through the program, taking in the reactions that make the day meaningful for the organization.

“It’s priceless,” Tyson said. “There is no other way to describe it. Even when the faces are not smiling, they’re happy. They’re excited.”

The Vikings of Solvang is a men’s philanthropic organization that provides financial assistance for people with medically related needs in the Santa Ynez Valley and across Santa Barbara County.

Tyson said more than 100 Vikings volunteered this year, nearly half of the group’s more than 200 members, with some of the newer fledgling members dressed as iconic Christmas characters such as The Grinch and Rudolph.

Among them was fledgling Viking Nick Zigler, who spent the morning dressed as Buddy the Elf. Zigler, whose family moved to Solvang about seven years ago, said his favorite moment was seeing the kids’ excitement as soon as the first buses arrived.

“When the buses pull up, and they’re all glued against the window and they’re lighting up,” Zigler said. “They’re all eager, it’s like they’re showing up to Disneyland.”

Many parents attended the celebration with their children, including Anthony Nunez, who came with his 8-year-old son, Beckham, on a field trip with the Lompoc Unified School District. Nunez said the event created a comfortable environment for his son.

“Pretty cool for a kid like him who, you know, struggles to be in public areas,” he said. “So it’s pretty cool and pretty special.” He added that Beckham’s favorite part of the day was getting his bucket of cookies.

Tyson said each child brings different needs and reactions to the day, and volunteers try to meet them where they are.

“Nobody’s the same,” Tyson said. “Even if it’s the same disability, they’re not the same.”

He said parents often stop him throughout the morning to say thank you and that the gratitude is as meaningful to him as the children’s excitement.

As the final groups made their way through lunch and photos with Santa, Bernstein said returning each year is something many Vikings look forward to.

“For me, it’s the beginning of Christmas,” he said. “The smiles on the kids’ faces — it just gets the whole season started.”