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Editorial: Save Lombardi Ranch, Santa Clarita’s Halloween Icon

Ed. Note: The following is an editorial by Carl Goldman, co-owner of KHTS AM-1220.

Lombardi Ranch is a Santa Clarita icon. One of the few remaining to bridge the gap between our Valley of the past and our present day suburban haven.


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Over the years it has survived earthquakes, fire and floods. Now, its doors will be shut this Halloween season due to lack of water. Scarecrows on sabbatical. Pumpkins on probation.

When Jeri and I first moved to Santa Clarita twenty five years ago we still had patches of agriculture and ranches throughout our valley. Pigs roamed Robinson Ranch where golf balls now soar. Driving up Bouquet Canyon was a journey through lots of open space. Now houses fill most of the gap between the center of our Valley and Lombardi.

Lombardi Ranch, with its fresh produce, pumpkins, and corn stalk maze is a fun family outing and a chance for our kids and grandkids to experience a little glimpse of a different Santa Clarita Valley.

Visiting Lombardi Ranch with our kids has been a pre-Halloween ritual. Lombardi Ranch has been selling pumpkins to Santa Clarita families since 1968. During their 47 years, Bob and Joann Lombardi and now their kids, have created a pumpkin wonderland. A place like no other annually drawing busloads of student, church and family groups from neighboring valleys as well as our own community. I still have fond memories of joining my son’s second grade class outing over a decade ago, the start of many family traditions. Editorial: Save Lombardi Ranch, Santa Clarita's Halloween Icon-1

Now Lombardi Ranch needs our support. There will be no Lombardi Ranch this season. We are way past the pumpkin planting window. Lombardi will not be opening this year. However, we can preserve and save this precious Santa Clarita asset for future years. KHTS has established a Go Fund Me account to save Lombardi Ranch. Our intention is to create a large enough stockpile to allow the Lombardi’s to purchase water next year to assure Lombardi is around for future generations. Our goal is to raise $100,000.00, which should be enough money to assist in front-loading next year’s crop should we remain in a drought.

The Lombardi’s don’t know we are doing this. We didn’t tell them. We have known Bob and Joann Lombardi for twenty five years. They are proud, hard-working folks who are the first to give and never ones to take.

Lombardi Ranch is a tradition we need to keep around. Our first grandchild, Claire was born last pumpkin season. We want to pass on the family memories that our boys hold so fondly. Please assist in keeping this Santa Clarita jewel around for future generations.

Read the story: KHTS AM-1220 Rallies Santa Clarita Valley To Save Lombardi Ranch

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Editorial: Save Lombardi Ranch, Santa Clarita’s Halloween Icon

7 comments

  1. I’m not sure that throwing money at the ranch to buy more water is the issue. You can not manufacture water no matter the cost so unless they are buying it from a state that has extra ample water supplies “I’m out ” and yes I took my kids there for years and am sad to see this happening, but what makes me even sadder is to see our hills being carved out for more home who will be using more WATER.

    • You’re so right !!! All this new development can use all the water it wants but to save a small business they won’t do anything to help. SCV is all about corporate money and to turn this once nice country town into all big business ran community. So sad I’ve been here since birth and I’m ashamed to admit now. Awesome town !!!! Assome town more like it.

  2. ‘Purchase’ water??

  3. I was heartbroken to hear about Lombardi’s closure this year, and would hope that they might be able to be back in business soon… but $100k seems like an arbitrary number. How was this number attained? Is this the cost to draw a certain amount of water each month to satisfy needs for 2016? And where will the front-loaded stockpile be stored? In short… what is the plan for the $100k? I have to agree with Kathy regarding new construction, and the infrastructure required to support the growth… not to mention the amount of water poured out onto the ground just to keep dust down during construction and grading processes.

  4. Stop newhall land and farm!!! They have destroyed this beautiful little farming community that I grew up in with their suburbanite expansionist nonsense. They, and everybody that has moved into this beautiful valley over the last 40 years, are the ones to blame for this destruction. You want money, go get it from the greedy SOB’s that destroyed this valley. Lombardi’s is just more collateral damage as far as they are concerned. Newhall Land and Farm… you created this, fix it!!!!!!

  5. 100,000 dollars does seem like an arbitrary number, but does it really matter? The Lombardi’s have supported our community for more than 30 years, with field trips, fundraisers, scouting events, the Fall Festival, farm fresh produce, and more. Santa Clarita has over 200,000 residents if only ten percent of us give five dollars each the goal of $100.000 will easily be met. I for one feel it is a small price to pay to help a good neighbor get through the drought. Hopefully together we can keep Lombardi Ranch open for many years to come.

    We need more local farms, not fewer!

  6. Why is it that the city can spend tons of money to take out all of these medians & plant or re-plant all this vegetation that requires water to take out & put in? Don’t get me wrong…I do not like all the cement that is surrounds us BUT there has to be some decisions made on where things are on the “priority list”! How is any family suppose to live without water? Can’t keep new home construction & vegetation coming without taking care of the rest of us first!

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About KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220

As Santa Clarita’s only local radio station, KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220 mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, along with your favorite adult contemporary hits by artists such as Rob Thomas, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Maroon 5. We are vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community. Our broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. We stream our talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience.