Tomorrow, the first annual Big Bang on the Bay will light up the night sky over Alamitos Bay with rockets’ red glare and bombs bursting in air. Starting at 6, the July 3rd block party, held at Alamitos Bay Landing, will feature live music, food trucks, and other festivities. There is a $20 admission to the block party, but all proceeds will go to support the Long Beach Firefighters Memorial Association, whose annual July 4th fireworks display at Veterans’s Stadium, after 54 years, is no longer taking place.
It probably isn’t a surprise that legendary local restaurateur John Morris, General Manager of McKenna’s on the Bay, is behind this. He has a long history of creating popular events. He was responsible for creating New Year’s Eve on Pine Avenue. That success led directly to the now popular Summer And Music series. He’s also responsible for the insanely popular Belmont Shore Christmas Parade.
I asked John how he connected with the Long Beach Memorial Fire Department Memorial Association.
“We created a great partnership during last year’s 9/11 memorial event,” John explained, “and, when I heard that their Vet stadium show was cancelled, I saw the opportunity for us to partner together once again. That’s when I brought in Kelly Whitlow, of the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, to host the Fire Department BBQ. That event, taking place the same evening, is completely sold out.”
I asked him how he’s paying for the $50,000 fireworks display.
“When I was discussing my plans for the fireworks display with my friends who are residents of the peninsula and Naples, they were all in! We created the Founders $500 Club with the idea that, every year, the charter members will fund the fireworks show and establish a new, community supported, Independence Day tradition.” According to a press release, some residents donated as much as $5,000. “My friends blow me away with their generosity,” John exclaimed.
I asked how the $20 admission will be used.
“Part of the admission fee will go to covering costs,” John said, “but a majority of the proceeds will be going back to the Long Beach Firefighters Memorial Association.”
I asked why they’re bringing food trucks to an area already packed with great restaurants.
“We know there will be more people than all the Alamitos Bay Landing restaurants can handle,” John predicted, “and we wanted to provide another fun way to feed the guests of our event. McKenna’s and Busters have created dining packages which include reserved waterfront seating inside the restaurant for the fireworks, but those reservations are going fast!”
There are a number of alternate transportation methods for getting to Alamitos Bay Landing.
“Pelican Joe Bay Boat Rentals will be providing a Duffy valet service for residents wanting to boat over from Naples, Spinnaker Bay, and Marina Pacifica,” explained John.
“The downtown Doma Properties office is coordinating AquaLink rides from downtown to Alamitos Bay Landing. AquaLink tickets are $5. There’s also the Long Beach Transit Passport A bus that runs every 30 minutes from downtown to Alamitos Bay Landing. The last bus leaves the Landing at 11:29 PM. Fairs are $1.25.
“In celebration of Rae Gabelich’s eight years of service,” John continued, “the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association and Phil Trani’s restaurant are sponsoring the double-decker Big Red Bus. For $30, which includes entrance to the event, they will pick people up around 6 PM and deliver them to the entrance of the Landing. After the fireworks show they’ll load up and bring them back home.”
I asked John about the best free viewing spots.
“Unless you live in a home on the water, the next best place to watch the fireworks for free would be anywhere along marina drive.”
For more information about reservations for $55 dinner and block party packages, which includes reserved seating, and general admission Tickets for the Block Party, call McKenna’s on the Bay at 562-342-9411.