The City held its inaugural State of the City event on November 1st at Big Bear Alpine Zoo. The theme of the evening was investment in our community. During this event, Assistant City Manager Sean Sullivan gave a presentation on Community Development and Economic Development Manager Kelly Tinker gave a presentation on the new Facade Improvement Program and Beautify Big Bear Lake initiative. The City recognized the top 25 sales tax producing businesses, which generated over $1.6 Million in revenue for the City over the last fiscal year.

Top 25 Sales Tax Producing Businesses

Special Olympics Polar Plunge

In March, the City and Visit Big Bear proudly hosted the 12th annual Big Bear Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Southern California in the Inland Empire. Thanks to generous sponsorships and donations from the public, Special Olympic athletes are able to train and compete in 12 sports at no cost. Teams dressed up in hilarious costumes and braved the icy waters of Big Bear Lake to raise over $50,000 for the cause. Mayor Melnick gave a speech to kick off the ceremony, followed by an appearance from City mascot Grizzwold The Bear and  Special Olympics Athlete and Global Messenger, Brett Laza. 

BVES Earth Day Expo

In April, the City exhibited at Bear Valley Electric Service's annual Earth Day Expo. We highlighted the significance of environmental stewardship and shared how residents of all ages can help keep our community a beautiful place for all to enjoy. We created an exciting basketball themed sorting game to educate children about how to properly dispose solid waste, organic waste, and recyclable materials. The children were rewarded with Earth Day themed prizes such as flower seed packets, seed paper bookmarks, Earth Day coloring books, and reusable insulated tote bags!

Bowling for The Zoo

In May, the City participated in the annual Bowling for The Zoo, hosted by Friends of The Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Our team, “The Gutterball Grizzlies”, featuring City Councilmembers Randy Putz and Rick Herrick, City Manager Erik Sund, Assistant City Manager Sean Sullivan, and Economic Development Manager Kelly Tinker, had a blast competing against other teams from local organizations to raise funds for this great cause! Since 1959, The Big Bear Alpine Zoo has rehabilitated injured and orphaned animals and educated the public about stewardship of wildlife and conservation of the unique ecosystems of the Big Bear Lake area.  

Job Fair

In August, the City hosted a Job Fair and Resource Event in Hofert Hall in partnership with San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe's office, America's Job Center of California and the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Hundreds of attendees met with potential employers from different industries, and a few were even hired on the spot! The City hopes to continue working with our partners to make this an annual event.

If you're interested in applying for a job at the City, please visit our employment web page to see available positions.

Signature Events

We proudly carried on beloved Big Bear Lake traditions with two Signature Events: Halloween in The Village and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.



Our 2024 Halloween in The Village event was a huge success, with a massive turnout and a spellbinding performance by The Spazmatics! City Councilmembers and staff enjoyed passing out candy to thousands of enthusiastic trick-or-treaters and seeing all of their amazing costumes. The City would like to thank all of the Village businesses and exhibitors who participated, and made this night so special for our community. The City would also like to thank our partners, Visit Big Bear, for providing entertainment. 

The 2024 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was nothing short of sensational! We saw record attendance with enthusiastic crowds gathering on Pine Knot Avenue all the way down to Big Bear Blvd! Award winning local singers, The Carnegie Kids, kicked off the festivities, followed by Moonridge School of Dance, The Mountain Marvelettes, and A Capella group Jingle 5. Santa and Mrs. Claus joined City Councilmembers and their families on stage to count down to the grand finale: the tree lighting!

Entertainment provided by Visit Big Bear.

Cinnamon Rolls with The City Manager

The City held three community breakfast meetings also known as "Cinnamon Rolls with the City Manager" throughout the city in April, July, and December. Attendees enjoyed free coffee, delicious cinnamon rolls and doughnuts, while City Manager Erik Sund and staff provided updates on City initiatives like Beautify Big Bear Lake, the Small Business Façade Improvement Program, and Capital Improvement Projects. Attendees asked questions, shared their feedback and concerns, which sparked many great conversations. The City would like to thank the Big Bear Valley Senior Center⁠ and American Legion Post 584 for hosting us. 

The City held its second Cinnamon Rolls with the City Manager event of the year at Boulder Bay Park on July 31st.

Village Concert Series

The City teamed up with Visit Big Bear to bring back the wildly popular Village Concert Series for a second year! Attendees enjoyed electrifying performances from an eclectic mix of four cover bands ranging from Country to Pop and Reggae to Rock. We amped up the fun with cornhole, life-sized "Connect 4" games, and the Kids Zone, to make these events fun for the whole family.

West End Redevelopment Advisory Committee

In March, Mayor Melnick established the West End Redevelopment Advisory Committee, which focuses on addressing the issues facing the west end of the City, specifically from Talbot Drive to Red Ant Hill. As an extension of the Beautify Big Bear Lake Program, the purpose of the West End Redevelopment Advisory Committee is to gather input from residents and business owners in the west end to identify ways the City can encourage property maintenance, help to solve traffic and safety issues, and support economic vitality in that area. As Mayor Melnick explained, "For the majority of residents and visitors, the west end of the City is the first thing they see as they enter our community, and that first impression should be representative of the beauty of Big Bear Lake. This Advisory Committee will help to build on the City’s existing efforts to promote safety, bring beauty back to areas that have been neglected, and improve the quality of life for everyone.”

Small Business Facade Improvement Program

The Small Business Façade Improvement Program was developed at the direction of City Council to support the City’s ongoing beautification initiatives. Council approved an initial appropriation of $150,000 to fund a reimbursement grant program for small business owners to improve and upgrade building façades, and replace outdated or damaged business signage. The Small Business Façade Improvement Program seeks to incentivize the beautification of the City’s primary commercial corridors by leveraging public funds with private investment. The program’s objectives include: 

• Enhancement of the City’s physical appearance
• Support for small business
• Promoting economic vitality within the community
• Increasing property values and tenant stability
• Improving the quality of life for residents and visitors

The City began accepting applications on October 23rd. The program drew substantial interest, with 20 grant applications received and several more businesses expressing interest if there is additional funding made available for future grant rounds. Preliminary award letters have been sent to the first 10 eligible business applicants, effectively encumbering all of the $150,000 fund appropriation. The remaining business applicants have been placed on a waiting list, and those applications will be processed in the order received if additional grant funds are appropriated for the next fiscal year. 

Signage and Outdoor Display Education Program

As another extension of the Beautify Big Bear Lake Program, the Signage and Outdoor Display Education (SODE) Program was developed in response to community feedback with the goal of carrying out the vision of Beautify Big Bear Lake through the implementation of the City’s existing sign and display ordinances. Key factors of the program include: 

• Improved aesthetics along commercial corridors
• Consistency and equity in the City’s application of existing codes and ordinances
• Maintaining the “Big Bear” Image

The program is underscored by its emphasis on education and information, with staff prioritizing in-person communication with all of the City’s affected business owners, making multiple contacts over the course of several months as the City began to enforce its existing signage and outdoor display ordinances. Program efforts have been very successful, with compliance gained from more than 80% of the businesses contacted, and many more businesses working with City staff to identify available solutions and paths to compliance. The long-term goal of this program is to achieve 100% compliance and to provide continued assistance to business owners to maintain program results going forward. 

Public Works Week

During the Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, May 8th, Mayor Melnick signed a proclamation recognizing May 15th – 21st as National Public Works Week here in Big Bear Lake. Public Works provides many essential services in the City, including:

• Capital Improvement Projects⁠
• Street Maintenance⁠
• Street Paving⁠
• Street Sweeping⁠
• Snow Operations⁠
• Sewer & Storm Drain Maintenance⁠
• Landscaping⁠
• Event Setup & Traffic Control