While other areas are arguing over firework shows, our community college has decided to go digital: The LBCC drone show—part of their upcoming SummerFest on July 27—will take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
So what’s the schedule with the inaugural SummerFest at LBCC?
Things kick off at 4PM and go into the evening with DJ Mr. Quick performing between the following live entertainment sets:
- 4:00 PM – DJ Mr. Quick
- 4:15 PM – LBCC Jazz Ensemble
- 5:45 PM – Jelly of the Month Club
- 7:30 PM – Breezin’
- 8:45 PM – Drone Show by Pixis Drones
Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for kids 4 to 12 years old, free for those under 3 years of age (sitting on their parent’s lap), and parking is $5.
The LBCC drone show kicks off in a place historically attached to fireworks
The history of fireworks—both recently and in the past—have been stirring up quite the controversy, extending from concerns for pets and veterans suffering from PTSD to concerns about the environment, particularly given Long Beach’s proximity to the ocean and wetlands.
Big Bang on the Bay—the annual July 3rd fireworks tradition in Alamitos Bay—was snarled in drama earlier this year when founder and restaurateur John Morris claimed foul and political play by the California Coastal Commission over late paperwork. The commission denied all of Morris’s claims and emails, per the LB4D blog, between the two proved the commission was right. Even more, comments on social media were harshly divided. On one hand, those who found the event to be an economic booster, from catering for hundreds of private parties to ticketed events from surrounding restaurants. On the other, a slew of critics slamming the fireworks show as archaic, interruptive, and inappropriate for the bay.
When it comes to the stadium where the LBCC drone show will be hosted, there is a firework-centric history: For 54 years, the Long Beach Firefighters Memorial Association presented July 4th fireworks, hosting its last show in 2011. The reason? A lack of funding and people refusing to pay for a ticket, instead watching the show from outside the stadium. Since then, the Queen Mary has been the main 4th of July fireworks kick-off zone.
Veterans Memorial Stadium, where SummerFest and the LBBC drone show will take place, is located at 5000 E Lew Davis St. For tickets, click here.
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