This is Why We Community

When we get a chance to partner with the youngest demographic of the community, it is pure delight.

At noon on Oct. 5 – Oktoberfest – we were led into the annual October festivities by children from the community, Girl Scout troop No. 70751 and Robbin’s Nest Preschool. Dressed in dirndls and lederhosen, Girl Scout troop uniforms or Robbin’s Nest Preschool T-shirts, the kids came to lead the event kick-off with the Kids Parade.

The parade appropriately started out right in front of MVCC business member Bellies, Babies, & Bosoms. The banner holders carried an authentic banner brought from Munich, Germany just weeks before our Oktoberfest. The parade children marched with either a balloon on a stick from sponsor Robbin’s Nest Preschool, a kazoo to make parade music and/or a bubble machine provided by the Montrose~Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce.

The children marched from Las Palmas Avenue on Honolulu Avenue to Wickham Way where they were met by one of the Bavarian stage emcees, Kaipo Chock. Like the Pied Piper, Kaipo led the parade of children up onto the stage where they met the other two emcees of that stage – Gary Kelly and Marc Brown. Prompted by the emcee, the group announced, “Welcome to Oktoberfest!” and thus the event was underway.

After their kick-off, the children posed for pictures on stage with the emcees as well as with District Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Already prepared to work with community leaders in all capacities, these children are naturals. It was such a delight to see the joy and the enthusiasm the children had as they led the opening of the festivities. Adding to the energy and excitement of the activity were the parents. With their cameras and recorders in hand they smiled proudly at their child(ren) leading the community into Oktoberfest. It was a wonderful opportunity watching the children involved.

When we looked around throughout the day, we noticed families enjoying Oktoberfest together like seeing a daughter on her father’s shoulders as they sang to ’80s cover band Past Action Heroes or looking on the street and seeing children from toddler to ’tween dancing in joy. They waited in lines for the rides and games and got their faces painted by Little Artist Party. If you looked hard enough you could also see behind the scenes the 150 student volunteers supporting the event booths and assisting the staff.

When you think of all that our local businesses and organizations do to pull together during events like this also know that your children are watching. And now your children are participating! 

Thank you to all the kids of Montrose, La Crescenta and Glendale for working with us this year.  #Thisiswhywecommunity

Victoria Marie Malone~ Executive Director

YOUR Montrose/Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce

3436 N. Verdugo Road, Suite 100, Glendale, CA 91208

Office: (818) 249-7171

www.montrosechamber.org