Magnolia Park’s annual Holiday in the Park event drew record numbers of people to the eclectic Burbank shopping district on Friday evening, November 17. Approximately 22,000 people attended the event showcasing local music, arts and crafts, services and shops.

“On behalf of the Holiday in the Park committee, we are overjoyed and overwhelmed by the amount of love and support the community has shown us by attending the event,” commented committee member Ashley Erikson.

“Everyone involved from the the entertainment, to the stores, to the exhibitors that filled the streets, to every single attendee, did a phenomenal job creating such a fun and interactive event that people of all ages could enjoy.”

A cappella vocal groups from John Burroughs High School and David Star Jordan Middle School performed at the event, along with cheer teams from Jordan and Luther Burbank Middle Schools. Live DJs, along with small acoustic and electric bands and ensembles livened up the scene along the nine block stretch.

Two performance stages at Bank of America and Worship Walk Church showcased musical and gymnastics groups.

Santa and Mrs. Claus posed for photos with children and families at the UMe Credit Union and free candy apples were handed out to those in line.

A snow play area, a bubble party, face painting and games entertained visitors. Vehicles from SRT and Burbank Fire and Police departments, along with classic cars, were parked throughout the event.

“For the committee, putting Holiday in the Park together is an act of love- not just for Magnolia Park but for the entire Burbank community, and we hope we conveyed that in our efforts.”

Erikson noted Burbank officials estimated the number of attendees for the 2017 event at 22,000 – which was 7,000 more than the estimated attendance at the 2016 Holiday in the Park.

“The committee is already hard at work analyzing the event and what we can do better for next year, seeing as 2018 will be the event’s 30th anniversary,” added Erikson.

Holiday in the Park is funded through donations from individuals, businesses and stores in the Magnolia Park area.

The Holiday in the Park committee is accepting donations online to help fund the 2018 Holiday in the Park here. Closing down Magnolia Boulevard is costly for the committee, but much safer than trying to contain the event to the sidewalks of Magnolia Boulevard.

More information on the Holiday in the Park event can be found on their website.

Magnolia Park elves are checking their lists twice as the merchants of Burbank’s eclectic shopping district prepare for their annual Holiday In The Park event Friday, November 21. The holiday ivy and wreaths have been hung over Magnolia Boulevard for several blocks east and west of Hollywood Way, adding a festive air.

New this year will be five tons of snow for kid-friendly play, located in the recently opened parking lot at 3911 W. Magnolia Boulevard, between Kenwood and Maple Streets.

Many of the regular Holiday In The Park participants from recent years will be in attendance, including Santa at the UMe Credit Union, Krampus the holiday devil at Dark Delicacies and Tim Conway Jr. with his mobile talk radio show broadcasting from the Bank Of America parking lot.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Holiday in the Park also features live music, entertainment, workshops and demonstrations and additional photo opportunities, including Queen Elsa at the Snow Lot, a superhero at Blast From The Past and animals from the Wildlife Learning Center at Encore Nouveau.

Burbank Mayor Dr. David Gordon will announce the winner of the annual decorating contest Friday evening.

(Photo By Ross A. Benson)

In addition to the festivities, a hand-painted ornament from each member of the Magnolia Park Merchant’s Association go to the highest bidder during the evening’s silent auction.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Magnolia Park United Methodist Church will also hold their Holiday Boutique from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m.

All visitors attending the Holiday In The Park celebration are urged to bring non-perishable food items to donate. Collection bins will be located at several stores and spots throughout the several blocks-long event.

Councilwoman Emily Gabel-Luddy judges Playtime Clothes one of the entries into the Magnolia Park’s 2014 Holiday In The Park decorating contest. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Donations will be delivered to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center. A list of suggested items can be found here.

Holiday In The Park runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. along Magnolia Boulevard in the heart of Magnolia Park. The streets will not be closed for this event, so attendees are encouraged to be cautious when crossing the street.

Magnolia Park merchants have been decorating storefronts and checking their lists twice, preparing for the annual Holiday in the Park event to be held on Friday, November 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Storefronts at the intersection of Hollywood Way and Magnolia Boulevard, stretching for several blocks in all four directions will be making merry with a host of special guests, events and entertainment.

Each store participating in the Friday evening festivities will be collecting non-perishable food and new toy donations for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center’s annual Holiday Baskets program. Everyone attending Holiday in the Park is encouraged to bring at least one item to donate for the BTAC food and toy drive.

(Photo By Ross A. Benson)

Magicians, face painting, photo ops and seasonal activities will fill the sidewalks and stores. Book signings and special artists will hold court throughout the evening at Dark Delicacies, 3512 W. Magnolia Blvd. Several live bands and musicians will entertain inside shops and along the street, including the Hep Kittens and Jess Delgado. Vintage home Christmas movies will be projected on the side wall of Mindfulnest, at 3319 W. Magnolia Blvd.

KFI Radio Host and Burbank resident Tim Conway, Jr. comments, “My brothers and sister and I spent every summer of our childhood in Chagrin Falls, a small village East of Cleveland Ohio. The people there were very committed to family and friends plus they all watched out for each others kids. In many ways Burbank is exactly like a small mid-western town but with great weather. If you have kids and you want to live in the San Fernando Valley, Burbank is the only place that makes sense. I’m 50 and I was born and raised in the Valley; I know what I’m talking about.”

“Mayor of Magnolia Park” Tim Conway Jr. and his KFI News Reporter Aron Bender. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“Chagrin Falls has a celebration every Spring called Blossom Time and Burbank’s Holiday in the Park reminds me of the great nights I had with my grandparents,” continues Mr. Conway. “We’ll be doing a live remote on KFI AM 640, 7-10 p.m. on November 22 from a yet to be disclosed location in Magnolia Park so I hope everyone will stop by to say hello.”

At the UMe Credit Union, located at 3000 W. Magnolia between Fairview Ave. and Niagara Ave., Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking free photos with merry-makers, and caramel apples can be found. A vintage car show will also be held at the UMe Credit Union, with winners announced at 8:00 p.m.

Jordan Middle School’s Vocal Music Association, directed by Christine DeMore, will be represented  by the Madrigals and Vocal Ensemble groups; they will sing Holiday carols starting out at Bell Cottage at 3816 W. Magnolia Blvd. at 6:00 p.m. and walk along Magnolia Blvd. and Hollywood Way caroling, and stop by Sheridan Gardens at 817 N. Hollywood Way at 6:30 p.m. The carolers will stroll throughout Holiday in the Park, entertaining shoppers into the evening.

Magnolia Park merchants meet weekly; at one meeting, Burbank City Councilman Bob Frutos and new City Manager Mark Scott listen to plans and offer suggestions. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

A core group of merchants and business managers in the Magnolia Park district meet regularly to plan the monthly events that have drawn neighbors and visitors alike to the trendy and eclectic shopping area, known for its great gifts, clothes and food. This year’s Holiday in the Park party is proving to be bigger and better than previous years and has brought even more neighborhood shopkeepers out to celebrate and join in the festivities.

Active members of the Holiday in the Park planning group include Ashley Erikson (Magnolia Park public relations and event coordinator), Kerry Krull and Kevin Stolpe (Romancing the Bean), Jenny Dehl (Peggy Wood’s Pet Emporium), Bryce DeVincenzi (Burbank real estate agent) and Theresa and David Hannah (Bell Cottage.) Additional shop owners who have been helping plan this year’s event include Rita (1928 Jewelry), Sue and Del Howison (Dark Delicacies), Susan Cade (Encore Nouveau), Amanda Vernon (Mindfulnest), Connie Towns and Bruce Burr (Towns Burr Gallery),Ross Benson (myburbank.com) and Anita Hutchinson (UMe Credit Union.)

A listing of the evening’s events and guests can be found at the Holiday in the Park website. Check back after November 18 with myBurbank.com and our new Magnolia Park page for the most up-to-date event info.

Various treats, both complimentary and for sale, will be offered along the whole site. Special sales and free gifts can be found as well. Public bathrooms will be available at  Worship Walk Church (3310 W Magnolia Blvd.) and Romancing the Bean Cafe (3413 W Magnolia Blvd.) Holiday in the Park is a free event and the perfect place to find unique and creative Holiday gifts while enjoying a fun night out for all ages.

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