Crowd greets Costa Mesa’s Snoopy House for 50th year

Snoopy House, one of Costa Mesa’s most enduring holiday traditions, opened for the 50th time Saturday to an enthusiastic crowd at City Hall.

The two-week display, which features characters from the “Peanuts” comic strip, also offers free apple cider, train rides for children, a light show on the facade of City Hall and opportunities to take photos with Santa Claus.

Snoopy House also will feature three nights of snow play this year.

The display started in 1966 at the Eastside home of Jim and Linda Jordan and moved to City Hall in 2011. It now attracts an estimated 80,000 visitors each year, according to the city.

On Saturday, the city honored the Jordan family for starting the 50-year tradition.

Snoopy House is open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. Costa Mesa City Hall is at 77 Fair Drive.