PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Community Development Department (Department), in partnership with the Offices of Mayor Rex Richardson and Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga, invites residents to attend Westside Fest, a free event that will commemorate the second year of the Westside Promise (WSP) Initiative, a 10-year community investment plan that aligns existing City efforts and leverages partnerships to address current and historic challenges facing West Long Beach. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m. at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave).

“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. “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.”

Westside Fest, formerly known as Westside Promise Day of Activation, will bring additional activity to the neighborhood with a DJ and live music, local food trucks, hands-on art experiences, unique local vendors, resource booths, giveaways and more. Highlights for Westside’s youth include a complimentary meal, facepainting station, bounce house, free clothing swap, free haircuts for youth, immersive video game arcade pop-up and build-your-own skateboard station by MBK SK8.

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. “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 WSP Initiative’s second year focused on deepening interdepartmental coordination and advancing tangible, community-identified priorities. In 2024, the City launched an internal WSP Steering Committee comprised of leaders from over 10 City departments, meeting monthly to align on action items across the 10 Commitment Areas, which include health, livability, housing, financial empowerment, jobs, small business, culture, mobility, investment and community empowerment. Read more about WSP’s second year and its commitment areas here.

“Westside Promise is designed to deliver real results, and Westside Fest is one of the ways we ensure those results are visible, accessible and driven by community input,” said Community Development Director Christopher Koontz. “It’s a celebration of the progress we’ve made, and a platform for residents to stay informed, engaged and empowered to shape what’s next.”

Westside Fest is sponsored by the Port of Long Beach, Long Beach City College, Marathon Los Angeles Refinery and the Long Beach Container Terminal.

For more information about upcoming Westside events and to view the full list of accomplishments, visit longbeach.gov/wsp or contact the Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau at 562.570.6949. Community members are also encouraged to view the Westside Promise Impact infographic for a comprehensive look at recently completed, current and upcoming accomplishments in West Long Beach.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about Community Development visit longbeach.gov/lbcd and follow @longbeachbuilds on Facebook, X and Instagram.