We Heart Long Beach

Lisa Vanderpump Rules At Pride This Weekend. Long Beach’s second largest gathering and most colorful event takes place this weekend. Long Beach Pride weekend, the city’s second largest event of the year, is coming up, with many events and performers planned. The celebrity grand marshal for the 34th annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade on May 21 is Lisa Vanderpump, an LGBTQ advocate, businesswoman and television personality. Vanderpump is know primarily from her tw...o Bravo shows, Vanderpump Rules and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She is also a restaurant owner, and has been a spokeswoman for GLAAD and has worked closely with the Desert AIDS Project, The Trevor Project and the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center helping homeless LGBT youth. The Long Beach Pride Festival happens Saturday and Sunday, and the Pride Parade takes place Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know about the weekend events. WHEN AND WHERE The Pride Festival takes place 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Marina Green and Rainbow Lagoon parks. Pride weekend festival May 20-21 at Marina Green Park, and parade at 10:30 a.m. May 21 on Ocean Boulevard at Linden Avenue. The entertainment headlining Sunday’s country stage May 21 is country singer Ty Herndon, who, in November 2014, became the first major country artist to publicly come out as gay. Shortly after, he hosted a country music event, titled the Concert for Love and Acceptance, designed to bring attention and support to at-risk youth. Herndon is in the planning stages of a new coalition called RALY (Rescue A Life Y’all) to raise awareness for those with addition or identity issues. The Shoreline Frontrunners of Long Beach will host its 25th Long Beach Pride Run at 8 a.m. on May 21 at the Shoreline bike path (intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue). The fee is $30 if registered before April 30 and $35 the day of the race. All participants will receive a timing chip, shirt and a medal. continue reading @ www.weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com See more

For foodies and Foodie wanna be’s Stroll & Savor in Belmont Shore is back on the sidewalks of Second Street.today, Wednesday May 17th and tomorrow, Thursday May 18th from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. This kicks off the summer series of Stroll and Savor with over 40 restaurants offering the best of their cuisine. For $10, you will receive a booklet of 12 tickets which can be used to purchase food and drinks from eateries such as Roe Express, Saint & Second, Salud Juice and Cheese Add...iction. There’s even special treats for your canine friends at Pussy & Pooch. What would food be without music..continue reading @ www.weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com

For those of you who have the honor of spending Mother’s Day with mom almost all of the local restaurants have special menus and brunches honoring the day. There are also tons of activities happening over the entire weekend like the 6th annual West Coast Barbecue Classic Competition taking place this Saturday from 11am to 6pm at The Queen Mary. There will be over fifty of the greatest grill masters from around the country at this massive outdoor cookout. Whether your favori...te regional barbecue style comes from North Carolina, Kansas City, Memphis or Texas, you’ll have an opportunity to taste an abundance of meats and sauces during this fun event. The day will also feature an eating competition, lawn games, giveaways, line dancing and live entertainment. Come early and come hungry for tangy, spicy, smoky and sweet tasting delights and a great afternoon of grillin’ and chillin’ at one of the most unique outdoor venues in Southern California. Not interested in the grill eventhow about Free Shark Lagoon Nights, With recent Shark sightings in Long Beach why not learn more about these fish by checking them out at Free Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific. The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have...continue reading @ www.weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com See more

What are you doing this weekend? Beach Street University? Beach Streets University is coming to the city’s East Side this Saturday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The public is invited to cycle, skate, scooter and more along the car-free route. The event kick-off will take place in front of the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) at 11:00am.... The route will include Atherton Street in front of CSULB, Bellflower Boulevard and Los Coyotes Diagonal, and Spring Street, between Bellflower Boulevard and Studebaker Road. Beach Streets is a terrific, local event that brings ours neighbors, businesses, and community groups together, Councilwoman Stacy Mungo said in a statement. We’re excited for this wonderful celebration full of outdoor activities, music, food and family fun. BMX Freestyle Team demonstrations and live performances by Long Beach local bands such as Knyght Ryder, Forest of Tongue and Big Sun will liven up the Beach Streets University route. Several local businesses, community groups and organizations will also be participating, promoting activities that encourage healthy living for everyone. Whaley Park will be home to the Kids Hub, where fun activities continue reading @ https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com//beach-street-univ/

Long Beach put on your walking shoes this Sunday April 23 and join together to raise money for critically ill children by walking in the 6th annual Long Beach Walk for Kids Sunday at Shoreline Park. The family friendly 5K (3.1 miles), raises money for the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House, which provides a home away from home to families, allowing them to stay near hospitals, at little to no cost, while their child is receiving care. Event organizers hope to raise $250,000 a...t the walk, all of which will go to providing housing and resources to families. Long Beach Ronald McDonald House is a 23 Room facility located on the Long Beach Memorial Hospital grounds. It was opened in 2011 and houses families with critically-ill children receiving treatment at Miller Children’s Hospital and other nearby facilities. Since its opening, the Long Beach chapter has served 3,000 families, 104 of them from outside the United states...continue reading @https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com/

Long Beach Craft Beer & Oyster Festival This Easter weekend is filled with brunches and egg hunts but if you want to try something a little different and if Oysters and beer is on your radar why not check out the Long Beach Beer & Oyster Festival is a unique event celebrating craft beer, Oysters, Gourmet Food and live music. The event is a collaborative effort of Chugginbrews and many breweries combining to raise money for a local non-profit organization (www.lbcape.org). Th...e event will showcase multiple local and regional breweries as well click the link to continue https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com//2017-craft-beer-o/ See more

Thunder Thursday Moves to The Pike Outlets! Thunder Thursday, the free-to-the-public festival that annually kicks off Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend, will take place in a new location in 2017: The Pike Outlets on Thursday, April 6. Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets will begin at 6:30 p.m. and feature freestyle motocross demonstrations, motorcycle stunts from Tony Carbajal and Verizon IndyCar Series pit stop competitions on Shoreline Drive, west of Pine Ave. Within... The Pike Outlets, fans will enjoy live music and DJs in the main Plaza; an exotic, race and classic car show on Bay Street, and a beer garden. Fans will also have the..continue reading @https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com/

Fast Track your weekend at Formula Drift 2017 Formula DRIFT kicks-off the 14th championship season on the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course has been around since 1977. Highlighted by Formula 1, IndyCar, American Le Mans Series, The Toyota Pro/Celebrity race, and now Formula DRIFT.... 2017 will be Formula DRIFT's 12th consecutive year at the famous Street Course. The 2-day event will again be one week prior to the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Utilizing Turns 9, 10, and 11 of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Street Course, Formula DRIFT slides its way on one of two actual street course utilized for professional drifting. With a high-speed entry and very tight spacing between the cars and walls, there is no room for mistakes, making the opening round of the Formula DRIFT season one of the most exciting drift events of the year. This event also features: a huge vendor village, tons of giveaways from sponsors, driver autograph session, open pits to see the cars and stars up close and personal, and so much more! Round 1: Streets of Long Beach will kick-off the 2017 Championship season....continue reading @https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com//fast-lane-weekend/

What are you doing Sunday Afternoon? Why not spend it on the waterfront with good music and good food @ "The Dustbowl Revival" Although spring is just beginning, Councilwoman Suzie Price is ready to kick this season off with her 3rd Annual Spring into Summer Concert. It will take place on Sunday, March 26, 2017, and will once again feature the band, The Dustbowl Revival. This community concert is a free, family friendly event set to take place at Marine Stadium Park at 4:30 ...pm, and will also include various sweet and savory food trucks, as well as attractions for kids. I am excited to again spend a fun evening with fantastic Long Beach residents as we enjoy the great weather, our beautiful parks, and new music from this amazing band, not to mention gourmet food trucks, and a bounce house for the kids. Councilwoman Price said in a statement. Don’t forget to bring and lawn chairs to enjoy the concert. The Spring into Summer Concert Event will take place Saturday, March 26, 2017, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Marine Stadium Park, 5255 E. Paoli Way, Long Beach. Food trucks in attendance will include Cousins Maine Lobster, BrewWings, Pinch of Flavor & Pudding Truck. See more

What are you doing this weekend? Cherry Blossom’s Spring is here! It’s hard to believe but spring has finally arrived. After we spring forward and the cherry blossom’s bloom that means it’s time to celebrate Japanese culture through the blooming of the beautiful cherry blossoms. I wasn’t able to find a festival in Long Beach but our neighboring city Huntington Beach celebrates the blossoms all weekend..so get out enjoy a fun filled day amid the blossoms.... Huntington Beach Cherry Blossom Festival The Sister City Association of Huntington Beach is pleased to host our 4th Annual Huntington Beach Cherry Blossom Festival to be held on Sunday, March 19, 2017 from 11:00am 5:00pm...continue reading @ https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com//cherry-blossom-fe/

What are you doing mid week???? Taste of Downtown...East Village Taste of Downtown showcases Downtown’s culinary culture, where restaurants throughout DTLB come to a single place to offer patrons sample-sized portions of some of their best dishes, taking place in March, May and August in different Downtown LB locations.... The Taste of Downtown series begins on March 15th and 16th in the East Village Arts District. New this year, the event will be expanded to Linden and 1st Street, and will incorporate a Makers Mart for a Shop & Dine experience you can only find in the East Village Arts District. Tickets are now on sale. Participating Restaurants for the East Village event: Beachwood BBQ & Brewing * Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria * Cielo * District Wine * Famous Dave’s * ...continue reading https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com//taste-of-downtown/

What are you doing this weekend??? How about a Pow Wow weekend.The two-day event, which will feature American Indian dancing, arts, crafts and food begins at 11 AM each day and runs until 10 PM on Saturday and 7 PM on Sunday. In addition to contests and inter-tribal dancing, there will be Gourd dancing with Dancer Registration closing at 2 PM on Saturday, March 11. All dancers and drums are invited. Native foods such as mutton and beef stew, Navajo tacos, fry bread and Indian burgers will be on sale at the event, and American Indian vendors will be selling both traditional and ....continue reading @https://weheartlongbeach.wordpress.com/

Long Beach is La La Land!