Not so frightful

With a quick but solid swig of air, Todd C. Baron puffed into a long green balloon, creating the stem to a fragile but mystifying flower. The balloon artist and longtime Costa Mesa resident just spent the last three hours twisting and turning balloons of all shapes, lengths and colors into almost any item an child could imagine for the 16th Annual Pumpkins and Pancakes breakfast at South Coast Plaza Sunday.

For the last five years, Baron has taken charge of decorations for the event, although his heart will always be in balloon art. Whether for weddings, proms, or special events, Baron uses the thin pieces of expandable rubber as the focal point of all his jobs.

“Basically, whatever the kids want, I’ll make it, and if I can’t make it I’ll fake it,” Baron said. “Once you learn the mechanics of if you’re only limited by your own imagination.”

Baron, who manages a Westside apartment complex during the week, got into the art of balloon shaping on a sort of whim and found he took to the task readily.

“I bought a book one day and an hour later I did my first show,” Baron said.

Nearby where Baron popped out dozens of creative creations, a sea of costume-clad kiddies scampered around in search of booths offering other free goodies.

They came in tides Sunday, swarms of Captain Jack Sparrows (still popular among the boys), Harry Potters, pumpkins, skeletons, a plethora of pastel pigmented princesses, and even a few caped Supergirls. The munchkins decorated Halloween ornaments, constructed brown-paper-bag owl puppets, and had their faces painted.

More than 1,000 attended the event held at the center of the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store Wing of the plaza.

Money raised at the event went to aid Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County, a group of community volunteers who mentor children lost in the shuffle of the foster care system. Each year the group helps about 400 children, establishing one-on-one relationships and helping empower the youngsters for a brighter future.

A raffle later in the morning sent a number of kids home with some sweet prizes.

Matthew Harrison took home a new Schwinn bicycle from the drawing. But winning at the event was nothing new to this kid from Redondo Beach. Last year, Matthew, 7, won tickets to an Anaheim Mighty Ducks game.

Considering Matthew’s win last year, his mom warned him that ‘we don’t get to win something every year’ so he would not be disappointed. And after his win Matthew seemed anything but disappointed.

“I already have one at home,” Matthew said. “I’m taking this one to my house in Mammoth.”

KELLY STRODL may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].