Photos by Asia Morris.

Beach Streets Midtown will take place on Saturday, November 12 from 9:00AM to 3:00PM, the City of Long Beach announced today. The streets will be closed to all motorized traffic along Anaheim Street, from Orange Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway, to make way for people to walk, bicycle and socialize, during one of the city’s most popular recurring events.

Thousands are expected to attend this third Open Street event, following the thousands of participants who took to the streets during the Beach Streets Downtown in March, as well as the successful inaugural event, when Long Beach’s uptown area was transformed into the city’s first ciclovía.

---

---

“We are extremely excited about hosting yet another Beach Streets event,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “They’re so popular with the community because there is really something for the whole family, whether it’s biking, skating, music, art or just seeing your friends and neighbors out having fun.”

The 2.5-mile closed route will include several activity hubs, with festivals, music, demonstrations, food and more, according to the release.

“We’re looking forward to another wonderful Beach Streets event,” said Councilmember Suzie Price in a statement. “They are a great opportunity to discover a new favorite business or restaurant.”

Many of the city’s departments will also participate by providing healthy, active-living activities and booths with information for families, including the Health Department, Fire, Police, Library, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Airport, Port, Public Works and more.

“People are sure to see Long Beach in a new light,” said Councilmember Daryl Supernaw in a statement. “Best of all, Beach Street Midtown will be a lot of fun.”

Several intersections will be maintained so that motorists can still cross Anaheim Street, with the entire route and extended streets to be closed to vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and anything with a motor. However, exceptions will be made for officially marked transportation for those with disabilities, according to the release.

“Beach Streets is a wonderful event that bring families and communities together,” stated Councilmember Dee Andrews. “This will be the first time the Sixth District and Midtown play a bigger role in the event route. We are going to use this event to highlight our district’s innovation, activity, and willingness to keep moving forward.”

Tens of thousands of people participated in the first two Open Streets events, according to the release, while re-purposing the streets for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized modes of movement, is becoming more popular throughout North America. Cities are being encouraged to consider creative ways their streets can be used, with Long Beach as no exception.

Acceptable modes of transportation along the route include: bicycles, skates, roller blades, skateboards, walking, etc. The only motorized vehicles allowed must be officially marked means of transportation for those with disabilities.

For more information, including updates, entertainment, maps and parking information, please visit the Beach Streets website here www.beachstreets.com, Facebook page here and follow on Twitter here and Instagram @BeachStreetsLB.