(July 1, 2005) -- LB residents have an extra reason to visit their city's newly constituted Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier this weekend.

On July 3 from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., "Pier Daze and Seafood Festival" will kick off LB's annual Sea Festival at the Pier (at 39th Place). Organizers promise:

There's also information at www.belmontpier.com/pierdaze.htm.

As previously reported by LBReport.com, on June 18 the public got a preview of the future shape of the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier (photo above). As we described it at the time, the project "combines LB's natural beauty with historical eloquence and emotional power."

The Pier project, doggedly pursued by 3d district Councilman Colonna for several years, will eventually include traditional seafront elements and Salt Water Taffy (for the moment both are still in the works). Soon flags of all five armed services will be displayed, crested by an American flag and visible from the pier, the plaza and the beach. An inscription in the concrete at the pier's entrance will declare, "The people of Long Beach dedicate this pier to the men and women of our nation's armed forces, as a tribute to their love of country and a memorial to their sacrifice."

And in a reversal of Hollywood's "Walk of Fame" (restricted to those deemed "stars"), the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier will feature metal medallions embedded along its length, visible to thousands of pier visitors. The medallions are available for purchase by individuals to honor friends and familymembers who served; benches inscribed with the dates of significant U.S. military events also line the pier and can also be purchased for inscription to servicemembers.

In effect, the new LB icon is being created in part directly by the public in a way that may be unique among CA beachfront piers.

Businessman Fred Khammar, whose Alfredo's Beach Club is at the seaward end of the pier, predicts "a terrific day for Pier Daze with more to come" as the pier project advances.

July 3, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
"Pier Daze and Seafood Festival" (kick-off to LB's annual "Sea Festival")
LB's Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier (at 39th Place)