First Ever ‘Hullabaloo’ Proves Successful

By CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA | Reporter

There has never been a shortage of community events in Pacific Palisades during the holidays.

But when the Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce announced its official Ho!Ho!Ho! Christmas event would be changed to a “Christmas Stroll” aimed at bringing more customers to Palisadian merchants, a visit-from-Santa void was created.

Scrambling to fill it, a group of community-oriented minds came together to bring back a Christmas-themed event where children could meet Santa for free and adults could meet face-to-face with virtual friends they’ve interacted with on Nextdoor.

The 2018 Holiday Hullabaloo became an instant success this past Saturday, Dec. 8, as Palisadians looking to start a new tradition flocked to the Palisades Recreation Center.

“Our Hohohullabaloo began simply as eight people determined to honor a 60-year tradition of Santa coming down the street on his fire truck,” said Lisa Glantz, one of the Palisadians responsible for planning the event in just two weeks’ time. “A domino effect happened, and eight became 80 and everyone showed up.”

Glantz’s fellow organizer, Sarah Kamdar, was proud of the show of determination.

“It was nice to see our community use the decision to cancel Ho!Ho!Ho! as a rally cry for what we would like to see in our village, rather than a chance to complain about what is being lost,” she said.

Kamdar saw the event as a “day to focus on what we cherish most in our small world, similar minded people who can take initiative and lean on others to make things happen.”

The 2018 Holiday Hullabaloo became an instant success this past Saturday, Dec. 8, as Palisadians looking to start a new tradition flocked to the Palisades Recreation Center.

The event caught the attention of local organizations and businesses who donated their time and effort to make it happen, including the Los Angeles Fire Department, Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Garden Café and others.

For Lou Kamer, who has been leading various efforts to keep community values in a fast-changing Palisades, including a fundraiser for Norris Hardware employees who lost their jobs, it was an overwhelming show of support.

“I have never seen so many people so willing to help,” he said. “Personally, it was a joy to see the new babies and old neighbors, seniors, teens, and kids—proof that our community endures.”

Kamer saw the Hullabaloo as a start to a healing process for those who thought “traditions and character were gone,” and as a chance to do something about their displeasure with other events.

“The Hullabaloo will be back next year,” said Kamer. “Along with other opportunities for the [Palisades] to come together and celebrate the heartfelt, passionate community in which we all live.”