This past Friday night in Leimert Park Plaza in South L.A., the 10th Council District, in collaboration with the Empowerment Congress, the Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Development Council, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Hood Muscle Cars, Avenues of Life, Sole Folks Leimert Park, Community Build, 2nd Call, Southwest Carpenters, and Hot & Cool Café, hosted a free ‘Snow Night in Leimert Park’ holiday celebration for families in the community.
Over 1000 community members from all across South Los Angeles enjoyed snow sledding, live music, arts and crafts, pictures with Santa, and a night market.
The 10th Council District includes local areas that include Koreatown, Little Bangladesh, West Adams, Jefferson Park, Wilshire Center, South Robertson, Arlington Heights, Leimert Park, Faircrest Heights, Gramercy Park, and parts of Baldwin Hills.
“We were thrilled to host this wonderful and much-needed celebration for the 10th District, and grateful to all of the partners for helping to facilitate this event,” said Ibert Schultz, Senior Deputy for Strategic Initiatives for Los Angeles City’s 10th Council District. “We know that Leimert Park is the cultural center of South Los Angeles and there was no better place to host an event to officially celebrate the holidays with your family.”
Event partners included the Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Council, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, Community Build, 2nd Call, Avenues of Life, Hot and Cool Cafe, Sole Folks, and the Southwest Carpenters. The park was transformed into a winter wonderland with over 40 tons of snow adding to create real life element.
“This is real snow! If you’re not careful, you can slip but that’s the beauty of it, the authenticity of the experience for kids and adults alike, and in Leimert Park, said Phillip Wiley, Facility director at Rancho Cienega Sports Complex.
Since the re-opening of Leimert Park Plaza, the community asset has been transformed into a burgeoning cultural oasis. As a part of the 10th Council District’s commitment to reinvest in local culture and commerce, the event included a holiday night market featuring over 20 local vendors.
“With the social and financial impacts of the pandemic in addition to the stress of the holidays, events like this are important to provide families with a bit of relief,” said Genelle Akil West, Co-owner of Sole Folks. “This park has been closed for a while, but this was a fun opportunity for community members to enjoy and have fun — at a time where we need it most.”
“To see their faces, the bonding… it’s priceless. It is so important for South L.A. families to have opportunities like this. The collaborative efforts of CD 10 and the Leimert Park community has captured the essence of what the holiday season is really about: gifting others, spreading love, and enjoying family and friends,” Paul Porter, founder of Avenues of Life.
Special guests included Baron Davis in his Black Santa suit, the legendary Hoop Bus, DJ Qwess Coast and his daughter DJ Aye Jaye. Representatives from the LA Police Department and LA Fire Department were also in on the fun!
The 10th District hopes this will become an annual celebration in Leimert Park for South Los Angeles families. To learn more about upcoming events hosted by Council District 10, please visit: https://cd10.lacity.org/.
This story was contributed to by Danny J. Bakewell, Jr,. Lauren Brazil, and E. Mesiyah McGinnis.
Below is a gallery of the “Snow Night in Leimert Park” holiday celebration for families in the community. Photos E. Mesiyah McGinnis / L.A. Sentinel
