Beach Streets Comes To Midtown In Long Beach

Community festivals, traditional and contemporary music and art, concerts and cyclocross and skateboarding demonstrations are just some of the entertainment and activities planned for the “Beach Streets Midtown” Open Street event on Saturday, November 12, along Anaheim Street from Orange Avenue to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

“Our Beach Streets events are uniquely fun and uniquely Long Beach,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “It’s exciting to explore our diverse neighborhoods and spend time with the community on foot or by bike.”

Beach Streets Midtown will feature thousands of people walking, bicycling and socializing on car-free streets from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Family-friendly entertainment will be provided along the route, with major hubs at MacArthur Park, 1321 E Anaheim Street, and also the Recreation Festival near the intersection of Anaheim Street and PCH.

“We’ll have a wide assortment of family-friendly activities,” said Councilwoman Suzie Price. “Come on out and enjoy bands, bounce houses, bicycle and skateboarding demonstrations at the Recreation Festival.”

Entertainment along Anaheim Street will include a hands-on cyclocross demonstration bicycle safety workshops at Walnut Avenue. The Long Beach Transit Administration Building, 1963 E. Anaheim Street, will host multiple bands, bike rack demonstrations on new zero-emission 100 percent battery powered buses, and a public-participation art piece.

“Beach Streets Open Street events are a great opportunity to discover local businesses and services, try a new restaurant and explore a neighborhood,” said Councilmember Daryl Supernaw. “Our restaurants and businesses are throwing out all the stops to welcome old and new customers.”

The MacArthur Park hub will feature many contemporary and traditional ethnic arts, including traditional Khmer, Hmong, Aztec, Micronesian and West African art demonstrations and drum and dance groups; along with hip hop, popping and locking and street dancing. Much of the entertainment is affiliated with the Homeland Cultural Center.

“We are happy to see Beach Streets coming closer to the Midtown area,” said Councilmember Dee Andrews.

Open Street events are popular throughout North America and gaining popularity worldwide. The events promote the pursuit of innovative strategies to achieve environmental, social, economic, and public health goals. By repurposing streets for cyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized users, cities are encouraged to consider other ways our streets can be used.

Acceptable modes of transportation along the route include: bicycles, skates, Rollerblades, skateboards, walking, etc. The only motorized vehicles allowed must be officially marked means of transportation for those with disabilities.

For more information, including updates, entertainment, maps, and parking information, please visit www.beachstreets.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeachStreets, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @BeachStreetsLB.