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LaBonge Pulls the Plug on Annual DWP Holiday Light Festival

DWP_light_fest_08.jpg
Walking through the DWP Holiday Light Festival in '08 (Photo by RuggyBearLA via LAist Featured Photos)

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City Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes the historic Griffith Park, is blaming construction in the area for the cancellation of the annual LA DWP Holiday Light Festival celebration, according to LA Now.

Fearing it would "cost too much" to pause the project that involves the expansion of a nearby parking lot and the installation of a "major water line" where the beloved holiday event usually takes place, LaBonge asked the DWP to pull the plug on the December festivities.

LaBonge says he is "disappointed" the light festival will go dark for what would have been its 15th year. In recent years, LaBonge drew criticism from attendees and his constituents about the policies regarding bicyclists' access to the event, which led to a push for the festival to be made vehicle-free.

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