By Rachelle MILLER and Mary O’KEEFE

Chabad of the Crescenta Valley celebrated Chanukah at Memorial Park on Sunday night. This is the third year the Chabad hosted the event that sees people from all beliefs joining in the celebration. Individuals and leaders from local communities, including CV Town Council Vice President Harry Leon, joined in their support of the event.

This year there was delicious food and entertainment that included BMX Team Soil with Chris Hughes, James Foster and Lennie Westfall performing gravity defying stunts.

There was plenty to do for kids including a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) menorah building workshop and face painting. The Holy Grill was on hand offering traditional Chanukah foods like sufganiyot (a cross between a beignet and jelly donut), latkes and much more.

Rabbi Mendy Grossbaum and his wife Mushka made certain everyone felt welcome. The shamash candle (the first candle lit that is used to light all others) and a large menorah were lit by Jim Katz while Mendy led the crowd in Chanukah prayers and a rousing musical rendition of “The Dreidel Song.”