This past Friday night in Leimert Park Plaza, the 10th Council District, in collaboration with the Empowerment Congress and surrounding businesses and community partners, hosted a special 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.
“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 Southwestest Carpenters. The park was transformed into a winter wonderland with over 40 tons of snow.
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.”