Winter Wonderland OK'd Despite Objections to Christmas Tree, Menorah

Despite objections that parts of the event violate the separation of church and state, officials decided Monday to bring back the Los Alamitos Winter Wonderland in December.

The City Council voted 3-1 to host the winter holiday-themed celebration – which brought 25 tons of snow and 1,200 visitors to at St. Isidore Historical Plaza – a second time. 

Click here to see photos from the Dec. 2 Winter Wonderland.

According to the staff report, city employees recommended holding the event again and said it had netted “positive feedback from hundreds of attendees."

Though well-received, controversy arose because the event included menorah decorations and a Christmas tree.

Mayor Warren Kusumoto, who voted against hosting the Winter Wonderland, said he had no problem with the event itself but was concerned about the religious imagery.

“I have a concern about the non-secular nature of this,” Kusumoto said. “Perhaps if there’s a way to embrace all religions and all cultures?”

“I feel like last year we made it as secular as we can,” said Corey Lakin, city director of recreation and community services. “There was no prayer. There was no discussion of any religious issues.”

After the meeting, Kusumoto said his main concern was the Christmas tree at the event.

“I am a Christian – I love God, I love Jesus – but I think that a lot of that needs to be separated from city business,” Kusumoto said.  “When we have to veto it is when they talk about Christmas tree lighting.’”

During public comments on the issue, resident J.M. Ivler said he had a problem if Los Alamitos was mixing religion and city activities.

“It’s called a Christmas tree,” Ivler said. “It’s not called a Hanukkah bush. It’s not called the Allah bush.  … I would have similar problem, by the way, with a menorah lighting.”

“Where would Santa put the presents if there’s no Christmas tree?” said Mayor Pro Tem Gerri Graham-Mejia in response. 

“Just joking,” she added.  

Mejia, who thanked participants for putting on the event, said she’d like to see it split into two events – A Christmas tree lighting event at Laurel Park and a Winter Wonderland event at St. Isidore.

“I did get some requests from residents say that they didn’t know it was really our city Christmas tree,” Mejia said.

Councilman Dean Grose said religion wasn’t an issue as far as the Winter Wonderland was concerned. 

“It’s a good community event,” Grose said. “It’s not throwing anything in anybody’s face.”

According to city staff, the city’s spent $9,774.32 on the Winter Wonderland, a cost that was offset by a number of local sponsors, including AYSO Region 159, Los Alamitos Medical Center and Play It Again Sports. The event was co-sponsored by the Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department and the Los Alamitos Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals. 

Councilman Troy Edgar left the meeting early for an appointment on the east coast and was unable to vote on the issue. 

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