The 50th anniversary of Long Beach’s biggest — and most thrilling — event, the Acura Grand Prix, is just around the corner, with the marquee event scheduled for April 11 through April 13 next year.
And though we’re still a ways off from the Grand Prix’s return to the waterfront, excitement for the event is already underway, and was on full display at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where Chip Ganassi Racing’s Álex Palou took home the prize over the weekend.
While there, enjoying the offerings of a Grand Prix away from home, I began to notice a few similarities to the Long Beach event that were absent in previous years.
The Long Beach event, lovingly dubbed “Southern California’s 200-mph Beach Party” by its organizers, has made it a name for itself for developing its offerings for fans that aren’t just all about racing — ranging from evening concerts to a booming lifestyle expo with hundreds of experiences to explore.
One popular Long Beach Grand Prix event for both racing and non-racing fans is the annual Saturday night concert — which, for the first time, the Monterey Grand Prix also offered its fans this year.
“This is the first time a concert was scheduled for an INDYCAR Series event ( in Monterey),” Laguna Seca’s communications manager Alica Busa said. “As you may remember, The Doobie Brothers played at Rennsport last year but that was not set up by the track.”
It’s unclear whether Long Beach was the first to initiate evening concerts as part of race event lineups, according to Grand Prix Association of Long Beach representative Allison Wilson. But the GPALB has put one on every since 2000.
In fact, the concerts are so popular that Long Beach added another musical performance for fans during the event’s three-day span.
“The concert has always been free to any Saturday ticket holder and that format was extended to include a Friday evening concert as well in 2005,” Wilson said. “These have been known as Fiesta Friday concerts with a focus on providing Hispanic-themed music to our attendees”
The Grand Prix of Monterey, meanwhile, has also taken influence from another hallmark of Long Beach’s yearly event — a free Friday ticket.
“As far as I know this is the first time a free Friday promotion has happened (at Monterey),” according to Busa. “It was set up with track sponsor, Mission Foods, and some of their retail partners.”
And, anecdotally at least, that incentive did appear to appeal to fans in Monterey. I noticed more first-time fans out at the event on Friday than in years past.
The free Friday ticket in Long Beach, meanwhile, is a long-standing tradition originally started in early 1990.
“This concept was designed to afford all Friday attendees to sit in all of the grandstands,” Wilson said, “and experience various views.”
For Newport Beach-based Indy NXT driver Lindsay Brewer, the extra details at the Grand Prix of Long Beach make it a well-rounded event anyone can celebrate.
“I enjoy (the) Long Beach Grand Prix,” Brewer said, “because it’s the one venue I can take friends that aren’t into racing — and we can all have a good time.”
As the 50th running of our hometown race approaches, we’ll have to see what old traditions will continue — and what innovations will be added — to make this anniversary a special one for both racing and non-racing fans.
One last party
Local restaurateur, Denise Lund of Schooner or Later fame, has extended her gratitude to the Long Beach community for their love and support since her brother Denny’s passing in January.
The big brother-kid sister duo have been dining royalty in Long Beach for decades — and their photo as kids was a key part of the menu at Schooner or Later for many years.
Denise recently hosted one last party for Denny so friends and family could share their stories and celebrate his life, making the day exactly what he would have planned for himself.
Greg Carroll and his group entertained, topped off by Roland Misahon of the Elm Street Band, performing “Harvest Moon,” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow.”
Jerry Nieto and Lund put together a beautiful video of Denny’s life to honor it, and give him a proper send off.
Chamber gala
The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 133rd Annual Gala at the Westin Long Beach on Thursday, June 20.
A special recognition, the “Destination Tomorrow Award,” was presented to California State University Long Beach leaders to honor the institution’s continued commitment to education and impact on the local community, according to a recent press release, ahead of its 75th anniversary this fall.
CSULB president Jane Close Conoley, upon accepting the Chamber’s award, announced that the university is set to conclude its multi-year fundraising campaign “No Barriers,” on June 30 with more than $311 million raised for the institution.
“The CSULB “No Barriers” campaign has surpassed its original $275 million goal, thanks to robust support from alumni and corporate partners,” Conoley said. “The campaign will conclude a year early, marking a historic achievement for the university.”
Conoley also announced a new partnership between the Chamber and the university during the gala.
“CSULB Alumni and the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce have formed a first-of-its-kind alliance,” Conoley said at the gala, “offering new CSULB Alumni-affiliated businesses a one-year complimentary Chamber membership to enhance their competitive advantage.”
Soft and smokeless opening
Ribbro BBQ has opened in the former Mangosteen space on Second Street in Belmont Shore — but they’re still waiting for some equipment, including a smoker, to arrive.While they wait, stop on by to enjoy what they’re currently serving: Sandwiches.
