Metro plans grand opening community celebrations Oct. 29 at several Metro Orange Line stations

Tuesday October 18, 2005

Community events planned at five Orange Line Stations

Metro plans to officially open the Metro Orange Line Saturday, Oct. 29 to free public rides and festive community celebrations.

Join the local community to celebrate the new transitway’s grand opening, and sample some of the San Fernando Valley’s finest businesses, entertainment, and community destinations served by the Metro Orange Line, the Valley’s new shortcut between North Hollywood and Woodland Hills.

On Saturday, community celebrations are planned between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m at several stations along the route:

North Hollywood Station

• Where: North Hollywood Metro Red Line Park & Ride Lot, Northeast Corner, 5350 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood

• What: Community festivities will include live jazz, blues and rock & roll music, improvisioinal comedy, a dance troupe, community booths and food vendors.

Van Nuys Station

• Where: Park & Ride Lot, Corner of Van Nuys and Aetna St., 6062 Van Nuys Boulevard, Van Nuys

• What: The event will include a Mariachi Band, Grant High School Bands, bicycle safety checks, drawings and booths.

Balboa Station

• Where: Park & Ride Lot, Corner of Victory and Balboa, 6340 N. Balboa Boulevard, Encino

• What: Learn about exciting summer programs for the whole family, enjoy an elementary school choral performance, giveaways and more.

De Soto Station

• Where: Pierce College Campus, Corner of DeSoto and Victory, Woodland Hills

• What: Pierce College will hold its annual “Halloween Harvest Festival” from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Festivities will include pumpkin patch, corn mazes, haunted house and maze.

Warner Center Station

• Where: Westfield Mall Parking Lot, Corner of Erwin and Owensmouth (Behind Macy’s) Near 6120 Owensmouth Avenue

• What: Festivities will include El Camino Marching Band, Carter Burgess Halloween Costume Parade,  KOST-103.5 live remote, Chivas USA Soccer Team autographs and demonstration and live music.

No community events are scheduled on Sunday, October 30. Rides will be free to the public all weekend.  Buses will run Saturday, Oct. 29 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.  On Sunday, October 30, buses will operate from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight.