20,000 enjoy 626 Night Market lasers

While many Arcadia residents left town on July 4 to find a colorful celebration of Independence Day, about 20,000 people, mostly from other cites, swarmed to Arcadia to see three laser light shows at the second of three weekend evenings of the 626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park.

The first half-hour show got started about a half-hour late at 9:30 p.m.

Smoke machines were pumping out banks of fog from the statue of Seabiscuit to the stage in the paddock area. Thousands of attendees representing a diverse ethnic mix of Caucasians, Hispanics, and Chinese, among others, gathered in the fenced circle where race horses are usually paraded before heading to the track to race. Others continued mingling and eating but could still see fragments of laser images hitting trees and vendor booths.

Long lines were continuous at booths such as the Ramen Burger and food such as squid on a stick.

In addition to 200 vendor booths, primarily exotic foods, the 626 Night Market, which runs from 4 p.m. till 1 a.m. on Fridays – Sundays (till 11 p.m. on Sundays) on the first weekend of summer months July, August and September, also features myriad activities.

The stage is filled with dancers and musicians hosted by jovial emcees. Nearby is an area showcasing art of various styles. On the other side is a phlanx of carnival games. Karaoke and other tech interactivities abound.

And all this for $3 admission and free parking. (More photos below…)

— By Scott Hettrick