Every first Friday of the month, Bixby Knolls residents stay out late and support local eateries, businesses and artists with a bustling block party. For April’s celebration, Bixby Knolls’ signature event is kicking off the month with the Long Beach County Fair this Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Taking place all along Atlantic Avenue, many businesses will be staying open later, offering exclusive items and hosting interactive events, with a handful of discounts and activities for residents to explore.
Fun festivities occurring this Friday include an arcade zone at Beachwood Brewing, a Fear Factor audition area at Long Beach Clothing Co., a tarot card reader at Eclipsed Emporium and free face painting at Pixie Toys. Over ten First Fridays locations will be playing live music, so no matter where you are on Atlantic, you’ll likely hear some tunes.
Attendees can choose from a variety of special food and drink items being offered, ranging from dinner specials to county fair-themed treats. Friday night’s menu includes a cotton candy margarita at EJ’s Pub, German pretzel churros at Rasselbock and a bacon jam brie burger at Ambitious Ales for their pop-up event with Terrible Burger.
The Expo Arts Center will be hosting a variety of activities, with its many tenants getting in on the fun. There will be art exhibits in the center’s main room, ABLE Arts Work Galley and the African American Cultural Center, plus live music at Ground Control as well as urban agriculture and small batch food contests put on by Long Beach Fresh at Katie Phillips Gallery.
Attendees will be able to peruse art pop-ups from over 10 featured artists plus live music from Amerigumbo at the Bixby Allery, located at the corner of Atlantic Ave. and Burlinghall Dr., with pottery, paintings, photography and more on display.
Another special feature of this Friday’s event is a Khmer New Year (Choul Chnam Thmey) — which runs from April 13 through April 16 — celebration at the Culture Pavilion (4326 Atlantic Ave.) that will feature a handful of Long Beach-based Khmer-owned businesses.
The celebration includes food and drinks from local vendors such as Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice, plus fashion vendors and live entertainment, featuring dancing, drumming and short film screenings from Cambodia Town Film Festival.
For those looking to traverse their way through First Fridays without walking, the Big Red Bus will be transporting residents for free beginning at 6:30 p.m. from Beachwood Brewing and making regular stops at eight other Atlantic Ave. locations. There will also be the Driver: Electric shuttle which will also be taking people around the festivities free of charge.
First Fridays: Long Beach County Fair will take place this Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information about the upcoming First Fridays event or any future events, visit the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association website or @bixbyknolls on Instagram.
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