Tag Archives: Holiday in the Park

Holiday in the Park Once Again a Festive Event

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As winter starts to close in, more and more festive events take place, one of which being Burbank’s annual Holiday In The Park. This year marked the 31st year of this event, making it one of Burbank’s longest-standing holiday traditions.

From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Magnolia Blvd. was shut down from Hollywood Way to Florence Street., filling the streets with holiday festive activities, music, food, vintage cars, and vendors and plenty of people. 

The South Hills Church was by far one of the biggest vendors with bouncy houses, photo booths, and fun kid-friendly activities. Deryck Artero, a member of the South Hills Church, said that “The reason South Hills joins this event is that we are all about loving the 818, seeing our community thrive, and giving back to the community.” 

As night fell upon the event there was fabulous live music and performances including by Garri Dance Studio, Aspen Wood (@aspenwoodofficial), The Mexican Azteca Dance Group (@mexico_azteca_burbank), School Of Rock (@schoolofrockburbank), bringing much holiday spirit and joy to the event.

In addition, Burbank’s own Police Dept. came out to show kids safety tips, let them go inside their cars and handed out mini cadet stickers. Restaurants were open as well as food trucks Like Cousins Maine Lobster, Taste of Italy, Monte Carlos and way more!

There were many vendors who also lined the street from Burbank’s Little League Baseball Program to World Vision, an organization that specializes in supplying kids in different countries with freshwater.

Mary Brooks a long-time resident of Burbank said that “In my opinion this year was the largest crowd I have seen since I have been coming to Holiday In The Park” She also added, “Everything was way more organized than in past year which is so amazing.”

All in all, Holiday In The Park was a great way to start the holiday season. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible, and on behalf of myBurbank we want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season!

 

 

 

Holiday in the Park is TONIGHT! Here Are Some of the Attractions

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Magnolia has been closed from Florence to Hollywood Way for tonight’s event (Photo By Ross A. Benson)

The 31st annual Holiday in the Park is tonight, Friday, November 22nd from 5:00-9:00pm.

The event stretches down Magnolia Blvd from Hollywood Way to Florence St with an estimation of 35,000 people in attendance this year.  The street will be closed as the previous years, creating an open and safe environment for kids and families. 

Here’s what to find this year at Holiday in the Park:

-Santa & Mrs. Claus Photos inside UMe Credit Union

-Snow play area (building play only this year)

-Art show at Blast from the Past parking lot

-26 Food trucks

-Dance performances by Garri Dance Studio at Worship Walk church

-Live music at Bank of America

-Classic car show

-Emergency vehicles on display including police, fire and SWAT.

-Over 70 exhibitors

-Face paint, henna, balloons, caricatures

-Character & Princess Photo Ops/Photo Booths

-Kids Fun Zone with bounce houses, crafts, bubbles and more

 

The neighborhoods surrounding Magnolia Park should expect plenty of cars parking in front of their houses and traffic on the east/west corridors to be packed with vehicles.  Guests of the event are encouraged to walk, bike or ride share to the event to eliminate parking congestion.

As a reminder, Magnolia Blvd. will be closed down from 12 pm to close to 10 pm so please use alternate routes.  

For a list of all the exhibitors and food trucks visit www.holidayintheparkburbank.com

Planning for this Year’s 31st Annual Holiday In The Park Could Use Your Help

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The most anticipated Burbank event, Holiday in the Park, is just a few weeks away on Friday, November 22nd. The Holiday in the Park committee has been meeting since July to bring Magnolia Park’s event back from another year and raising funds through the use of t-shirt fundraisers, dinner fundraisers, and their go fund me page which you can donate to here: www.gofundme.com/magnoliapark 

File Photo by Ross A Benson)

This will be the 31st annual Holiday in the Park for the district and will take place from 5-9 pm on the Friday before Thanksgiving.  Holiday in the Park stretches down Magnolia Blvd from Hollywood Way to Florence St with an estimation of 35,000 people in attendance this year.  The street will be closed as the previous years, creating an open and safe environment for kids and families. 

Here’s what to find this year at Holiday in the Park:

 

-Santa & Mrs. Claus

-Snow play area 

-Art show

-26 Food trucks

-Dance performances

-Live music

-Classic car show

-Emergency vehicles on display

-Over 50 exhibitors

-Face painting, henna, balloons

-Character & Princess Photo Ops/Photo Booths

-Kids Fun Zone with bounce houses, crafts, bubbles and more

holiday in the park

File Photo by Ross A Benson)

The neighborhoods surrounding Magnolia Park should expect plenty of cars parking in front of their houses and traffic on the east/west corridors to be packed with vehicles.  Guests of the event are encouraged to walk, bike or rideshare to the event to eliminate parking congestion.

As a reminder, Magnolia Blvd. will be closed down from 2 pm to close to 11 pm so please use alternate routes.  

The committee is still booking exhibitors and this year any Burbank business can join! Whether you have a storefront, online business, at home business, non-profit or community organization, Holiday in the Park has a space for you! To register to visit www.holidayintheparkburbank.com

Holiday In The Park Draws Record Crowds

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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.”

holiday in the park

 

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.

holiday in the park

“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.

Holiday In The Park Plans For Bigger Better Event November 17th

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Save the date Holiday in the Park just a week and a half away.

Holiday in the Park 2017 plans have been getting worked on by the Magnolia Park Merchants Association who is hard at work to bring the biggest community event in Burbank to life.

The event which is always planned on Friday before Thanksgiving will land on Friday, November 17th from 5-9pm.  Holiday in the Park stretches down Magnolia Blvd from Hollywood Way to Florence St with an estimation of 20,000 people in attendance this year.  The street will be closed as the previous year’s event, creating an open and safe environment for kids and families. 

You’ll be able to find all of your favorite things from last year including live music and dance shows, character photo ops, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as Food Trucks, community booths, a kid zone, classic car show and more.

The neighborhoods surrounding Magnolia Park should expect plenty of cars parking in front of their houses and traffic on the east/west corridors to be packed with vehicles. 

As a reminder, Magnolia Blvd. will be closed down from 2 pm to close to 11 pm so please use alternate routes.  

For more information you can Follow Magnolia Park on Facebook here:
www.facebook.com/ MagnoliaParkBurbank/  or visit www.holidayintheparkburbank. com for more updates

Holiday in the Park This Friday Night

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Join Magnolia Park in kicking off the holiday season with their annual Holiday in the Park event.  It’s the biggest event in Burbank each year and is a way that the community and merchants come together for a night of festive fun for the whole family.

The Magnolia Park Merchants Association which consists of around 80 Magnolia Park stores, restaurants and service shops bands together each year to keep the Holiday in the Park tradition alive.  Stores stay open late offering hot chocolate, candy canes, and other fun activities and entertainment.

Parking lots along the boulevard are blocked off and filled with different attractions.  The UMe Credit Union parking lot will have 5 tons of snow blowed in, free photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus and kids obstacle course.

The Blast from the Past parking lot will feature photo opportunities with the Grinch, Anna, Elsa, Olaf and many more.  Bank of America which is deemed the community lot for the night will hold table booths from local organizations including the Burbank Police, Fire Corps, Stough Canyon Nature Center, Burbank Library, Burbank Boys and Girls Club, Burbank Relay for Life, and Luther Cheer.

Food trucks can be found at the Chase Bank parking lot, a classic car show will be held at Rite Aid and the Worship Walk patio will host a stage featuring performances, classes and demos from Garri Dance Studio and other local fitness businesses.

Carolers, live bands, DJs and school quartets and choirs will be placed sporadically along the boulevard bringing the festive sound of the holidays to Magnolia Park.  Henna artists, face painters, balloon twisters, book signings, holiday boutiques, ornament painting, and live window models are just a few more of the exciting things that will be taking place from 5-9pm this Friday.

The Magnolia Park table which will be located at the Blast from the Past lot will be giving away 300 tote bags to families attending the event, each filled with goodies and coupons from local Magnolia Park merchants and at 7pm Vice Mayor Talamantes along with Magnolia Park Merchants Association President and Founder, Ashley Erikson, will be awarding the three winners of the Holiday Storefront Decorating Contest.

The event is also a way that Magnolia Park gives back to the community.  Participating stores will be collecting canned/dry food and unopened toys for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center to help needy families over the holidays.

The association also encourages visitors that live in the area to bike to the event rather than drive.  This will not only help the environment but help with parking congestion.  Walk Bike Burbank will be providing free bike valet at the UMe Credit Union parking lot.

For a more detailed list of participating merchants, parking lot activities, and entertainment, visit their website at www.holidayintheparkburbank.com

Magnolia Park Holiday In The Park Posts Huge Attendance

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Much of Burbank turned out for the annual Magnolia Park Holiday In The Park event Friday evening, November 21. From Santa Claus and the Mayor of Burbank to Queen Elsa, a magic show, princesses, a swing band and wild animals, fun for all ages was had at Magnolia Park’s biggest party of the year.

“It felt like all of Burbank was out celebrating with us,” commented Magnolia Park Merchants’ Association President Ashley Erikson. “We are so overwhelming grateful for all of the people who came out for Holiday In The Park and for every volunteer and organization that came out and contributed their talents to making it such a fun night.”

Five tons of snow provided family-friendly fun for all ages. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Five tons of snow provided family-friendly fun for all ages. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

One of the most popular attractions were the rescued wild animals from Wildlife Learning Center. Located outside Encore Nouveau, the animals, including a porcupine, a screech owl, a squirrel monkey and a snake, among others, were favorites. Kids and adults alike enjoyed petting and touching the animals.

Burbank Mayor Dr. David Gordon with a Christmas Elf, Santa and Mrs. Claus. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Mayor Dr. David Gordon with a Christmas Elf, Santa and Mrs. Claus. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Santa, Mrs. Claus and a Christmas Elf posed for pictures with people at the UMe Credit Union and Disney princesses dressed for winter smiled for the photo ops at PinUp Girl Boutique. Frozen‘s Queen Elsa took pictures with families and children at the Snow Lot.

The Snow Lot was a major draw as well, with five tons of fresh snow, hauled in to the newly opened parking lot at 3911 W. Magnolia Boulevard.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Bell Cottage won first place in the annual holiday decorating contest held among stores, with Encore Nouveau placing second.

Music, dance, sweet treats and lots of festive spirit were on display at Holiday In The Park. A large amount of non-perishable food was donated by attendees for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The lighted holiday ivy and wreath decorations, also known as swags, were hung across Magnolia Boulevard for several blocks east and west of Hollywood Way and helped amp up the holiday spirit in the area.

“We are excited to get started for next year and plan new things,” Erikson also said. “Next year, we will be raising money to bring back the swags again and we think having them back really brought the holidays to Magnolia Park.”

In the coming year, Magnolia Park Merchants’ Association also plans to hold more events leading up to the annual grand bash, Holiday In The Park. More information can be found on the district’s website here.

 

Magnolia Park Brings In Snow And Santa For Holiday In The Park

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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)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

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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)

(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)

(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 this years entries into the Magnolia Park's Holiday In The Park decorating contest. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

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 Draws Large Crowds for Holiday in the Park

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Photo By Lisa Paredes

Sounds of Christmas Carols, jazz, blues, and folk singers delighted hundreds of residents and visitors in the Magnolia Park District of Burbank on Friday evening.  For more than 25 years Holiday in the Park, an annual event in Magnolia Park, has brought together area merchants, Burbank city services, and entertainers for a giant block party with the objective of simply having fun.

In addition to promoting the district as a great place to shop and dine, local merchants also collected toys and food donations for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC). 

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Photo By John Savageau

Nicola B., drummer from a girl’s band named No Small Children which entertained on Magnolia Blvd near N. California St., noted “we do our shopping for professional clothing in Magnolia Park.  This is a great way to contribute to the neighborhood.”  No Small Children members are all elementary school teachers from North Hollywood, but Nicola B. admits their “passion is really music.”

 

Photo By John Savageau

Photo By John Savageau

Despite the cooler than average temperatures, and an occasional drizzle of rain, crowds grew throughout the evening.  Even the cold and light rain couldn’t deter sidewalk ballroom dancing, men walking around on stilts, or a small gathering of classic cars in the Ume Bank’s parking lot.

Diane, who recently relocated to Burbank from Michigan, was really happy to see the sense of community in Burbank.  “This is a lot of fun.  Lots of people crowding the streets, socializing, kids running all over the place – everybody just having fun.  Not too much of this in Detroit!”

Sgt. Darin Ryburn showed off Burbank Police Department’s new patrol cars, in addition to promoting Safety Tips for Shoppers during the holidays and the Burbank Fire Department thrilled children with tours of a fire engines and truck company.  Kids appeared to have the most fun, as the area was transformed into a kaleidoscope of new sights and senses.

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Photo By John Savageau

Encore Nouveau was selected  as the festival’s “Best Decorated Business.”    According to Susan Cade, owner of Encore Nouveau, “One of our top priorities at Encore Nouveau is to have fun, which we took full advantage of during this decorating challenge.  The spirit of camaraderie and community in Magnolia Park make having a store in this area a true blessing!”

Additional entertainment included the Ukulele Orchestra of the Western Hemisphere, Red Head Darling, the Hep Kittens, and lots of others.  Happy Holidays!

Lisa Paredes and Staff Photographer Ross A. Benson contributed to this story

Photo By Lisa Paredes

Photo By Lisa Paredes

 

Holiday in the Park Storefront Winner Announced

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One of the largest community events of the year, Holiday in the Park, was held Friday evening, November 22, on the streets of Magnolia Park along Magnolia Blvd. between N. Kenwood St. and N. Florence St. and north and south of the intersection at Hollywood Way. Check out the full listing of special events and treats at the Holiday in the Park website.

Tim Conway Jr., who we like to call “the Mayor of Magnolia Park,” was on hand at the UMe Credit Union parking lot broadcasting his show live on KFI AM 640 during the 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. event.  MyBurbank was also next to the UMe parking lot to thank our many readers and gave away screening tickets to the upcoming Dr. Who 50th Anniversary show as well as the new movie Lone Survivor and passes to Circus Vargas, which comes to town in just a couple of days.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Encore Nouveau was the winner of the Best Decorated Store in Magnolia Park as selected by the judging committee of City Manager Mark Scott, Councilman Bob Frutos, Police Chief Scott LaChasse and KFI Radio Host Tim Conway Jr.

“The ladies of Encore Nouveau are so excited to win the ‘Best Decorated Business’ award!” commented Susan Cade, owner of Encore Nouveau. “The original inspiration for the windows was designed by our fabulous Rita Villar Ing – she works at both Encore Nouveau and 1928 Jewelry. Emma Cade and Christopher Seip (my relations) helped turn Rita’s inspiration into reality with the assistance of the lovely ladies of Encore Nouveau.”

“One of our top priorities at Encore Nouveau is to have fun, which we took full advantage of during this decorating challenge. We would also like to thank the judges and all the other stores who participated in the contest,” continued Ms. Cade. “The spirit of camaraderie and community in Magnolia Park make having a store in this area a true blessing!”

The theme of this year’s gathering was “The Gift of Giving” with participating stores being asked to put out two boxes – one for food and one for toys – during the event to collect donations for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.  Donations will be presented to needy families in Burbank over the holidays.