'Snoopy House' display begins move to City Hall

COSTA MESA — With the help tow trucks and community volunteers, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang began the move Friday from the Eastside to their new holiday digs at City Hall.

In the spirit of the special occasion, city staff put up different Christmas lights around the building this year, said city spokesman Bill Lobdell.

Jim Jordan, 59, owner of the elaborate Peanuts-themed Christmas display that for 44 years welcomed families to the corner Santa Ana Avenue home, said the display will be built by Monday.

The city put out a call for volunteers this week to help Jordan put together the decorations that include a giant doll house, faux ice skating rink and photo booth for Christmas memories. Santa Claus also will be on hand next week for pictures.

Jordan had to move the display after the home he used as a rental property went into default and was foreclosed on last year.

He was officially locked out from the property last week, but Wells Fargo gave him an opportunity to collect the beloved Christmas display for the neighborhood.

There is more work to be done. Jordan needs volunteers at 9 a.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. Monday to help build the set, as well as people to help operate its 19-day run.

In a call for help Friday, the city said Jordan needs a number of supplies he regularly provides at the annual attraction.

Jordan needs 10 cases of hot apple cider concentrate; five cases of 6-ounce Styrofoam cups; one case each of red, green and blue tinsel; five boxes of 4-by-6 photo paper; 4,000 candy canes; 100 gallons of water; and a 10-by-10 foot tent with four sides.

Volunteers or donors are urged to call Sylvia Chalmers at (714) 754-5099 or send an email to sylvia.chalmers@costamesaca.gov.

The Christmas display will open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and remain open from 5 to 10 nightly through Dec. 23.

joseph.serna@latimes.com

Twitter: @JosephSerna