SUBJECT: Update on planning for the inaugural SHOREFEST at the Pike

...ShoreFest is a program designed to show Southern California the renaissance of Downtown Long Beach, and create interest in our City as a destination for high quality entertainment and shopping.

SHOREFEST at the Pike will take place on October 3-5, 2003, and will be free to the public. SHOREFEST will showcase Long Beach's user-friendly airport, expansive beach, and the newly developed Queensway Bay Harbor with six festival programs. It is estimated that the SHOREFEST events will draw 500,000 people to Long Beach over the three days of the program.

The six festivals of SHOREFEST are:

AIRFEST: - Just off the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier will be a four-hour air show that promises to be the premier air event in the country. Scheduled to perform are nine elite military jet teams including the Navy's Blue Angels, and the Canadian Snowbirds. All five branches of the armed forces will be participating with demonstrations of their Special Forces teams. There will be civilian performers as well as a large static display of vintage and military aircraft at our airport.

HARBORFEST - Land based displays combined with in-water demonstrations of marine craft will take place on Shoreline Drive, and Rainbow Harbor. Demonstrations of both sailing and power craft will take place. A four-seat hydroplane capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph will be a featured demonstration.

KIDSFEST - This festival is designed to provide children of all ages with activities in the enclosed area around Rainbow Lagoon. Traditional amusement activities as well as exhibits of science and technology for children will be part of the program. There will be entertainment throughout the day including skydiving dogs, and mini Air Force Thunderbird Jets.

MUSICFEST - This concert series will offer music enthusiasts five venues of entertainment. These concerts will be in the Downtown Amphitheatre, the Museum of Art, the Performing Arts Center, the Long Beach Airport, and the Aquarium of the Pacific. These events will feature country, and jazz as well as new age musical talent.

TASTEFEST - This program will provide visitors with a "Taste of Long Beach" village featuring the culinary talents of Long Beach's premier restaurants. This event will take place on Shoreline Drive, and activities will include celebrity chefs creating their signature dishes as well as waiter races.

WATERFEST - This two-hour sea event will take place from the pier on the end of the Peninsula, and will show water sport enthusiasts demonstrations of both military and civilian watercraft. The Marines will storm our beach, and Navy Seals will invade the shores. There will be sailing regattas as well as water skiing demonstrations.