Monique McArthur

Monique McArthur

Monique McArthur has lived in Villa Park for 20 years and has written about it for years, here and on Enjoy Orange County. Her kids went to Villa Park Elementary. Her son's at Villa Park High now, and her daughter went to Orange Lutheran. Along the way she was a Little League team mom, ran the VPLL snack bar, worked with the VPHS baseball boosters, helped run the Villa Park Halloween event and was a homeroom mom at Villa Park Elementary. These days she runs through town almost every day, shops the Town Center and Ralphs, and grabs a bite at Bagel Me or The Post, so she usually knows what's opening, closing or changing before most people do.

Her husband's family has been here since 1978. He and his four siblings went to Villa Park High and Orange Lutheran, and his parents still live in town, so a lot of what she knows about Villa Park's history, and how it's changed, comes straight from them.

Have a tip or a correction? Reach her through our Contact Us page, or connect on LinkedIn.

Anaheim Hills Festival Halloween Boo-Nanza 2026

The free Anaheim Hills Festival Halloween Boo-Nanza took place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Formerly known as the Halloween Spooktacular, the event let kids trick-or-treat at participating stores and restaurants throughout the shopping center, with a live DJ, face painting, balloon twisting and photo opportunities. The 2027 date is … Read more

Boo at the Santa Ana Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is the Santa Ana Zoo’s family-friendly Halloween event, combining seasonal activities with an evening visit to the zoo. Costumes have traditionally been part of the fun, along with trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities. Boo at the Zoo Dates Where: Santa Ana Zoo1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701Next dates: TBD … Read more

Villa Park Halloween Fest 2026

The Villa Park Halloween Fest 2026 was held Friday, October 30, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Villa Park Town Center, and the 2026 event has ended. The 2027 date is TBD 2027. This annual community tradition brings families together for an afternoon of Halloween fun, including trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games, food and … Read more

Symphony on the Go in Villa Park 2026

Pacific Symphony musicians performed a free outdoor chamber music concert at the Villa Park Town Center on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The family-friendly Symphony on the Go concert ran from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. A 2027 Villa Park date has not been announced. Symphony on the Go is Pacific Symphony’s mobile community concert experience. Musicians … Read more

Free Concert in the (Villa) Park

The Villa Park Community Services Foundation’s free Concert in the (Villa) Park is a summer tradition at Cerro Villa Middle School. The most recent concert was part of Villa Park’s 250th Fourth of July Extravaganza on Saturday, July 4, 2026, which paired the Fourth of July parade with a family picnic, block party and live … Read more