A huge blow-up slide in the form of a ship was a feature of last year's Pier Daze, one of many events that make up the Long Beach Sea Festival.
“All residents of all ages will enjoy more than 50 Long Beach Sea Festival events this summer that highlight some of the city’s biggest assets: its beaches, waterways and aquatic facilities,” said Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster.
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. The 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.
Upcoming 2012 Long Beach Sea Festival events
June 16, July 14, Aug. 11— Urban Ocean: World Port & Sealife Cruises, Aquarium of the Pacific, 5pm to 7pm
A double-deck yacht will explore one of the most distinctive sections of the city’s coastline and allow participants to 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. Call (562) 590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org .
June 17— Father’s Day Barbecue, Aquarium of the Pacific, 12:30pm to 2:30 pm
Participants can celebrate Father’s Day with the entire family at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s annual picnic, enjoying picturesque views of Rainbow Harbor and the underwater sea life of the Aquarium. Call (562) 590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org .
June 30 to July 1— Pier Daze, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, June 30 from 10am to 9pm, and July 1 from 10am to 6pm
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 Beard’s Pub, cannons firing on attacking pirate ships, a treasure hunt, kids and adult costume contest, a kids fun zone, a pirate encampment on the beach and the band Dread Crew of Oddwood as well as other pirate entertainers. Visit alfredosbeachclub.com .
July 2 to Sept. 4— Movies on the Beach, Granada Beach, 8pm to 10pm
Films will be shown free of charge every Monday and Tuesday evening on Granada Beach. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and there is ample free parking. Movies begin at dusk. Visit alfredosbeachclub.com .
July 4— Fourth of July barbecue, Aquarium of the Pacific, 7pm to 9pm
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. Call (562) 590-3100 or visit aquariumofpacific.org .
July 4— Party on the Pier, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 1pm to 11pm
Starting at noon, attendees can enjoy local bands playing on the Rip Cat Record Stage, an all-American food court, a beer garden, a kids fun zone, and an ideal view of the fireworks. $20 charge for adults and $10 for kids includes an all-day pass, a barbecue plate with beverage and unlimited access to the kids fun zone. Visit alfredosbeachclub.com .
July 14— Copa Cabana Beach Soccer, Granada Beach, 9am to 4pm
Copa Cabana Tournaments at Granada Beach brings 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, adults, and coed players. The games are five-on-five with three 12-minute periods with unlimited substitutions. Referees are US Beach Soccer and Cal South certified. Visit copacabanabeachsoccer.com .
July 14— Noah Kalama Outrigger Classic, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 6am to 6pm
The Noah Kalama Outrigger Classic features Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Racing. Visiting teams from Southern California beaches all over 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. Visit imuaoutrigger.com .
July 21— Catalina Ski Race, Maya Hotel, 8am to 3pm
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 one 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. Visit catalinaskirace.net .
July 26— Jessica Uniack Memorial Beach to Bay Race, Long Beach Yacht Club, 10am to 1pm
In this 25th annual event co-hosted by Long Beach and Alamitos Bay Yacht Clubs, young sailors ranging in age from 6 to 14 will venture into Long Beach Harbor. This is the only junior sailing event of the year in which the eight-foot-long Sabots venture out on the ocean on a five-mile course from the east end of Shoreline Marina to Alamitos Bay. Visit lbyc.com .
July 28 from noon to 11pm, and July 29 from noon to 10pm— Crawfish Festival, Rainbow Lagoon
For over 19 years the Crawfish Festival has been a tradition for thousands of festivalgoers annually. The festival combines Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans sounds of music, tons of fresh crawfish prepared Louisiana-style and served by authentic Cajun chefs, a giant food court, a children’s area, a dance floor, two stages and beach bars to create the largest Crawfish Festival outside of Louisiana. Visit longbeachcrawfishfestival.com .
July 28 and 29: Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, Marine Stadium, 9am to 6pm
The festival features one of China’s most ancient festival traditions— colorfully decorated boats races. Oriental cultural craft exhibitions. Free to spectators. Visit lbdragonboat.com .
Aug. 3— Kid’s Fishing Rodeo, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 8am to noon
The rodeo provides fishing fun for ages 16 and under. Bait is provided. Attendees should bring their own pole and tackle. Prizes are awarded in multiple categories. Pre-registration requested. On-site registration begins at 6am. Free to the public. Call (562) 434-1542 or visit alfredosbeachclub.com .
Aug. 4 and 5— Lucas Oil Long Beach Sprint Nationals, Marine Stadium, 9am to 5pm
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 allows attendees to 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. Visit scscracing.com .
Aug. 11— Sand Sculpture Contest, Granada Beach, 9am to 5pm
Entry is free for teams to compete, and music and a beach barbeque will be available. Visit alfredosbeachclub.com .
Aug. 12— 3rd Annual Taste of the Coast, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, 11am to 6pm
An old-fashioned clam bake on the Belmont Pier, this event benefits the Long Beach Kids Connection. Music, beer 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. Visit alfredosbeachclub.com .
Aug. 18 and 19— 12th Annual Tiki Beach Festival, Granada Beach, 10am to 6pm
This free community event features hundreds of Island dancers and musicians, a kids fun zone, cultural exhibits, tiki carvers, outrigger canoe rides, an island market place and the Aloha Food Court. Visit alfredosbeachclub.com .
Aug. 18 and 19— 15th Annual Beach Water Polo Cup, Alamitos Bay at Bayshore, 9am to 5pm
The event is the largest event of its kind. A maximum of 60 teams for both youth 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 an annual rivalry. Visit beachwaterpolocup.com .
Aug. 25— Taste of the Brews, Parkers Lighthouse Restaurant, 1pm to 6pm
Taste of Brews at Lighthouse Park features seasonal, craft and micro brews paired alongside cuisine from local eateries. 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. Visit tasteofbrews.com .
Sept. 15— Purple Revolver Festival, Rainbow Lagoon, noon to 7pm
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-alikes. Proceeds benefit several Long Beach charities. Visit purple-revolver.com .
For more information, visit longbeachseafestival.com to check out the entire summer schedule. Sea Festival is also a part of the City of Long Beach’s 100 Days of Summer. More information about 100 Days of Summer and other events is available at lbparks.org .
