A Long Beach summer tradition for more than 80 years, the Long Beach Sea Festival is back for 2012 under the direction of the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine.
The schedule includes events such as the annual Sand Castle Competition at Granada Beach, Sprint National Powerboat Racing at Marine Stadium, Kids Fishing Rodeo on the Belmont Pier, festivals, and weekly Moonlight Movies on the Beach at Granada Beach. Long Beach Sea Festival receives support from sponsors Port of Long Beach, Long Beach Gas & Oil, Long Beach Airport, Long Beach Environmental Services Bureau, Bellingham Marine and Anchor QEA.
For more information, visit www.longbeachseafestival.com and check out the entire summer schedule, which is packed with events for the entire family. Sea Festival is also a part of the City’s 100 Days of Summer. More information about 100 Days of Summer and other fun events throughout Long Beach can be found at www.lbparks.org.
List of events include:
June 16 & Aug. 11: Urban Ocean: World Port & Sealife Cruises, Aquarium of the Pacific, 5:00pm -7:00pm
Join us on a double-deck yacht as we explore one of the most distinctive sections of our coastline and experience the wonders of the Southern California urban ocean. In this place of high intensity, massive ships from around the world slip past whales on their way to the nation’s two biggest ports. Here windsurfers and sailboats glide by sea lions and offshore oil islands. Info/Tickets: 562-590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org
June 17: Father’s Day Barbecue, Aquarium of the Pacific, 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Celebrate Father’s Day with the entire family at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s annual picnic. Savor lunch, enjoy picturesque views of Rainbow Harbor, and delight in the underwater sea life of the Aquarium. Pet sharks and rays with your dad, and discover cool ocean dads like seahorses and sea dragons. Info/Tickets: 562/590.3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org
June 30 – July 1: Pier Daze, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, June 30 10 am – 9 pm; July 1 10 am – 6 pm
This free community event at Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier features hundreds of Pirates, sword fights, Pirate booty and craft vendors, a Pirate food court, Black Beards Pub, cannons firing on attacking Pirate ships, a treasure hunt, kids and adult costume contest, kids fun zone, a real Pirate encampment on the beach and featuring the band, Dread Crew of Oddwood along with other Pirate entertainers. www.alfredosbeachclub.com
July 2 – September 4: Movies on the Beach, Granada Beach, 8:00pm – 10:00pm
Films will be shown free of charge every Monday and Tuesday evening on Granada Beach, food and beverage will be available for purchase, plenty of free parking. Movies begin at dusk. www.alfredosbeachclub.com
July 4: Fourth of July Barbecue, Aquarium of the Pacific, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Celebrate Independence Day with the red, white, and blue fish at the Aquarium of the Pacific and fresh grilled BBQ. Families will be able to witness the ambiance of the Aquarium at night and get a fish-eye view of fireworks at night. Wave the flag, watch the fireworks, and spark up some BBQ with the Aquarium of the Pacific. Info/Tickets: 562.590.3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org
July 4: Party on the Pier, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 1:00pm – 11:00pm
Starting at noon enjoy local bands playing on the Rip Cat Record Stage, an all American food court, beer garden, kids fun zone, and a great view of the Fireworks. $20 charge for adults and $10 for kids includes an all day pass, a BBQ plate with beverage and unlimited access to the kids fun zone. www.alfredosbeachclub.com
July 14: Urban World Ocean: World Port & Sealife Cruise, Aquarium of the Pacific, 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Join us on a double-deck yacht as we explore one of the most distinctive sections of our coastline and experience the wonders of the Southern California urban ocean. In this place of high intensity, massive ships from around the world slip past whales on their way to the nation’s two biggest ports. Here, windsurfers and sailboats glide by sea lions and offshore oil islands. Info/Tickets: 562.590.3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org
July 14: Copa Cabana Beach Soccer, Granada Beach, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Copa Cabana Tournaments at Granada Beach brings you the atmosphere of a carnival party on the beach with a Brazilian style barbecue, food vendors, music, DJ, rides and entertainment for everyone in between games. All Copa Cabana tournaments are sanctioned by the US Beach Soccer Federation and are open to all teams, youth, adult, and coed. The games are 5 on 5 with three twelve-minute periods with unlimited substitutions. Referees are US Beach Soccer and Cal South certified. www.copacabanabeachsoccer.com
July 14: Noah Kalama Outrigger Classic, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 6:00am – 6:00pm
The Noah Kalama Outrigger Classic features Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racing. Visiting teams from all over Southern California beaches will compete in Sprint Races. The Classic includes events for both kids and adults. Spectators are invited to watch, but participation is limited to members of the Southern California Outrigger Racing Association. www.imuaoutrigger.com
July 21: Catalina Ski Race, Maya Hotel, 8:00am – 3:00pm
More than 70 water ski teams will ski from the Queen Mary to Avalon and back, with the fastest teams finishing the round trip in less than 1 hour. These amateur athletes come from around the world, including Australia, England, Belgium and New Zealand, and compete for just the honor to win or the accomplishment to finish. www.catalinaskirace.net
July 26: Jessica Uniack Memorial Beach to Bay Race, Long Beach Yacht Club, 10:00am – 1:00pm
In this 25th annual event, young sailors ranging in age from 6 to 14 will venture into Long Beach Harbor in this annual memorial race co-hosted by Long Beach and Alamitos Bay Yacht Clubs. This is the only junior sailing event of the year where the 8-foot-long Sabots venture out on the ocean on a 5-mile course from the east end of Shoreline Marina to Alamitos Bay. www.lbyc.com
July 28 & 29: Crawfish Festival, Rainbow Lagoon, July 28 12-11 pm; July 29: 12:00pm-10:00pm
For over 19 years the Crawfish Festival has been a tradition for thousands of festivalgoers annually. The festival combines the best Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans sounds of music, tons of fresh crawfish prepared Louisiana style and served by authentic Cajun chefs, giant food court, children’s area, dance floor, two stages and beach bars to create the largest Crawfish Festival outside of Louisiana. www.longbeachcrawfishfestival.com
July 28-29: Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, Marine Stadium, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Enjoy one of China’s most ancient festival traditions, colorfully decorated boats races. Oriental cultural craft exhibitions. Free to spectators. www.lbdragonboat.com
August 3: Kid’s Fishing Rodeo, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 8:00am – 12:00pm
Fishing fun for ages 16 & under! Bait provided. Bring own pole and tackle. Prizes awarded in multiple categories. Pre-registration requested. On site registration begins at 6 am. Free to the public. 562.434.1542 or www.alfredosbeachclub.com
August 4 – 5: Lucas Oil Long Beach Sprint Nationals, Marine Stadium, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Top Sprint Boat Racers from around the country descend on Marine Stadium for their chance at winning a National Championship at the place where boat racing began! This all ages event is fun for the whole family! Watch some of the fastest Sprint boats compete and enjoy food vendors and a classic V-Drive display where some of the best restored flat bottom and V-bottom boats will be showcased. www.scscracing.com
August 11: Sand Sculpture Contest, Granada Beach, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Free entry for teams to compete, lunch provided, music and a beach barbeque will be available. www.alfredosbeachclub.com
August 12: 3rd Annual Taste of the Coast, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 11:00am – 6:00pm
A classic old fashioned back east Clam Bake on the Belmont Pier, this event benefits the Long Beach Kids Connection. Music, beer garden, and seafood of all types will be available for purchase, a $20 per adult and $10 child’s entry fee includes unlimited access to the kids zone. www.alfredosbeachclub.com
August 18 & 19: 12th Annual Tiki Beach Festival, Granada Beach, 10:00am – 6:00pm
This free community event features hundreds of Island dancers and musicians, kids fun zone, cultural exhibits, tiki carvers, outrigger canoe rides, an island market place and the Aloha Food Court. www.alfredosbeachclub.com
August 18 & 19: 15th Annual Beach Water Polo Cup, Alamitos Bay at Bayshore, 9 am – 5 pm
The 2012 Shore Aquatics Beach Water Polo Cup will be held at the legendary corner on Bayshore Avenue in Alamitos Bay. The event is the largest event of it’s kind and is anticipated by both water polo players and fans. A maximum of 60 teams for both youth age group and adult masters will compete on one of four courses. On Saturday evening Long Beach Fire Department vs. Long Beach Police Department teams will compete in what has proven to be a great annual rivalry! www.beachwaterpolocup.com
August 25: Taste of the Brews, Parkers Lighthouse Restaurant, 1:00pm-6:00pm
Taste of Brews at Lighthouse Park features seasonal, craft and micro-brews paired alongside cuisine from local eateries. A refreshingly classy approach to beer tasting, Taste of Brews pays homage to the excitement that full-flavored craft beers are generating among consumers while providing a platform to introduce new styles. Admission includes craft beer tastes, free food samples (while supplies last), plenty of drinking water and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Long Beach Marine Institute. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.tasteofbrews.com
September 15: Purple Revolver Festival, Rainbow Lagoon, 12:00pm-7:00pm
A blast from the past, Purple Revolver celebrates 60s and 70s popular culture with a 21st Century slant. The family friendly retro events fuse classic rock, Bohemian fashions, high performance muscle cars, food trucks, beer gardens, and celebrity look-a-likes. Proceeds benefit several Long Beach charities. www.purple-revolver.com