Neighbors and friends are invited to a Westside celebration full of fun and resources to commemorate two years of the Westside Promise, and the investments made into the community so far.
The festival will take place at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.) on Saturday, Sept. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature live music, DJs, food trucks, art experiences, vendors, giveaways and resource booths. Youth can enjoy a free meal, face painting, a bounce house, a free clothing swap, free haircuts, an immersive video game arcade pop-up and a build-your-own skateboard station by MBK SK8.
“The Westside is home to some of Long Beach’s most resilient families, and they deserve the same level of investment and opportunity as every neighborhood in our city,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “The Westside Promise is our shared commitment to delivering that—by aligning City efforts, strengthening partnerships, and creating opportunities for growth and progress. Westside Fest is a chance for residents to come together, celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved over the past two years, and look ahead as we continue shaping the future of West Long Beach.”
The Westside Promise (WSP) Initiative is a 10-year community investment plan that aligns existing City efforts and leverages partnerships to address current and historic challenges facing West Long Beach.
Festivalgoers can explore showcases and resource booths from various City departments, connect with local businesses, discover nonprofit services and engage with community-based organizations. Programming will include a learning session from Long Beach Residents Empowered (LiBRE) and the second Housing and Homelessness Opportunities, Mobilization and Engagement (HOME) Community Roadshow, where the Office of Homeless Strategy and Partnerships will present a dynamic display to spark conversation about homelessness and housing.
Visitors can also enjoy performances by local talent and Cabrillo High School students, create alongside Arts Council for Long Beach facilitators and share ideas that will shape the future of West Long Beach.
“Westside Fest is more than a festival—it’s a reflection of what we can accomplish when residents, City departments and community partners work together with a shared vision for change,” said Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga in a public statement. “Community engagement is at the heart of the Westside Promise, and we encourage everyone to join us as we celebrate the real progress we’ve made while we build momentum for the work still ahead.”
The Westside Promise Initiative’s second year focused on deepening interdepartmental coordination and advancing tangible, community-identified priorities, according to the City. In 2024, Long Beach launched an internal Westside Promise Steering Committee comprised of leaders from over 10 City departments, meeting monthly to align on action items across the 10 Commitment Areas: health, livability, housing, financial empowerment, jobs, small business, culture, mobility, investment and community empowerment.
For more information about upcoming Westside events and to view the full list of accomplishments, visit longbeach.gov/wsp. The Westside Promise Impact also has an infographic with a comprehensive look at recently completed, current and upcoming accomplishments in West Long Beach.
Read more about WSP’s second year and its commitment areas here.
