[KHTS] – Thousands of Santa Clarita residents gathered in the Real Life Church parking lot Saturday evening for their fifth annual Halloween event, themed “A Tribute to Lombardi Ranch.”
“This is our opportunity just to say hello to the community and (we all) like to celebrate Halloween,” said Fred Gray, senior executive pastor at Real Life Church. “Today is particularly special because with Lombardi Ranch not being able to open their doors so to speak because of the drought, we asked Lombardi Ranch if we could bring them here and celebrate what they’ve done for the community.”
Lombardi Ranch has been have been providing family fun for all ages for over 30 years. Due to the severe drought conditions that California is facing, Lombardi Ranch is unable to open this year and a scholarship fund has been created in their name.
“(Bob and Joann Lombardi) were so humbled and so blown away that the community would miss them as much as we’re conveying that they would,” said Gray. “It was just a beautiful thing to have them say, ‘if you feel like it would be something the community would like, we’re all about the community.’”
Several items from Lombardi Ranch were on display at Saturday’s event as well.
“A lot of people remember (the items) from their childhood or they remember from pictures of their kids they took 15 years ago,” said Gray.
Lombardi Ranch has been selling pumpkins since 1968, according to their website.
“I would just like to say thank you to the entire community,” said Joann Lombardi. “We’ve been here for 50 years… You guys helped raise us, you helped us raise our children and now you’ve helped us in our heart with all the love and generosity you’ve given to us.”
Recognitions were also given to Bob and Joann Lombardi by Steve Knight, Mayor Marsha McLean, Supervisor Michael Antonovich, Senator Sharon Runner and Assemblyman Scott Wilk.
Knight presented the Lombardi family with a Certificate of Recognition from the United States House of Representatives.
“There truly are people in every community that make a community better,” Knight said, “and that’s what you have from the Lombardi’s.”
McLean said thank you and presented the Lombardi family with a certificate on behalf of the Santa Clarita City Council.
“I am so sad that the drought has messed with (Lombardi Ranch) because not only did we take our children there, but we’ve taken our grandchildren there year after year,” McLean said.
Rosalind Wayman, senior deputy for Antonovich, presented the Lombardi family a scroll on behalf of Antonovich.
“What I miss the most about Lombardi Ranch are the tomatoes and the corn and the winter and summer squash and all the vegetables you grew, too,” said Wayman. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Santa Clarita.”
The Lombardi family was also presented certificates on behalf of Runner and from the California Legislature on behalf of Wilk.
There were also many attractions at Saturday’s event, including the KHTS antique fire truck, live music, a petting zoo, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch and a “trunk-or-treat” area for children to get candy.
There were approximately 15,000 attendees at the Halloween event, Gray said.
“The first year we did something I think we had 5,000 people come and we were blown away and we were all inside,” said Gray. “Now we’ve opened the outside up, not to get bigger so much, but just to offer more things for the families.”
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Just read the story…..the drought. Sad for them and the community. They’ve brought so much enjoyment and enriched the lives of so many families for so many years.
I hope we get a good rainy winter so that Lombardi can open next fall. Such a shame that a wonderful place that holds so many find memories for so many was unable to open this year.
There is no “Halloween service ” we do a safe place where our church community kids and other children too can trick or treat and have a safe and fun event to attend
Funny…. That’s Olivia striking a pose. We had lots of fun. Special thanks to all the Real Life Church staff and Lombardi Ranch for making a fun filled day for all.
What happened at Lombardi is a crime, should never have happened. They should have had access to enough water to grow a few measly pumpkins for the love of God.
I hope to see Lombardi Ranch open next year too. I wonder if they have a family member to run the place in future years? It really is a piece of our heart.
Bob and Joann look refreshed and relaxed. They needed a rest so they could enjoy their life and their grandchildren. Way to go Lombardi s.
Time to let our children take a turn. ha ha ha . I was away enjoying Son in another city sorry to miss YOUR day. Take care, Your ole friend Cindy/Cynthia
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27 Comments
Robert Hanson
Best church! 😍
What happened to Lombardi ranch
They couldn’t water their crops this year due to the drought
That is just horrible praying for a big El Niño
Veronica Cashpar
Sweet
Nice tribute. What happened to Lombardi Ranch??
Just read the story…..the drought. Sad for them and the community. They’ve brought so much enjoyment and enriched the lives of so many families for so many years.
I hope we get a good rainy winter so that Lombardi can open next fall. Such a shame that a wonderful place that holds so many find memories for so many was unable to open this year.
Love the tribute! Lombardi Ranch has been such a wonderful Fall tradition for our children and Grandchildren! God Bless you Lombardi Family!
I never knew churches celebrate Halloween.
Most of them do
Most churches do celebrate Halloween.
Huh never heard of a Halloween service. What do they preach about Halloween?
There is no “Halloween service ” we do a safe place where our church community kids and other children too can trick or treat and have a safe and fun event to attend
Loved the tribute Real Life Church. it was awesome. My grandson and I had a wonderful time.
Is that pumpkin real?
Rick Gentry Evelina Gentry
Funny…. That’s Olivia striking a pose. We had lots of fun. Special thanks to all the Real Life Church staff and Lombardi Ranch for making a fun filled day for all.
How long is it there for? Was it just for the weekend?
It’s usually always the saturday before Halloween
What a great day it was
This kind of stuff belongs in a South Park episode
What happened at Lombardi is a crime, should never have happened. They should have had access to enough water to grow a few measly pumpkins for the love of God.
I hope to see Lombardi Ranch open next year too. I wonder if they have a family member to run the place in future years? It really is a piece of our heart.
Bob and Joann look refreshed and relaxed. They needed a rest so they could enjoy their life and their grandchildren. Way to go Lombardi s.
Time to let our children take a turn. ha ha ha . I was away enjoying Son in another city sorry to miss YOUR day. Take care, Your ole friend Cindy/Cynthia