Port of Long Beach Green Port Fest and it's FREE!

Have you heard of the Port of Long Beach Green Port Fest? If you haven't, here is the scoop. Green Port Fest is the Port of Long Beach's annual open house. It's a chance to educate the community about the port's vital role in the economy and ground-breaking environmental programs. There will be more than 70 booths and exhibits, children’s activities, entertainment, food, boat and rail tours and much more. The best part is that the Fest is FREE!

Some of the activities featured at the festival will be a children's playground with face painting, eyes under the sea - spotlighting underwater robots, big machines-checking out the yard hostlers that move the heavy containers under the sea and what lives in the harbor spotlighting the wildlife that calls the Port of Long Beach home.

When I first read about the Festival last year, I couldn't wait to share this with you. The Long Beach Green Port Fest will be held on Saturday, October 3rd from 1oAM to 3PM. Green Port Fest is held at the Port Administration Building, but there is no on-site parking. Instead, park at the Long Beach Convention Center and hop on one of the free shuttles.

Make sure to arrive there early to reserve a spot on one of the many boat tours. It's going to be so fun!

Port of Long Beach Green Port Fest

Saturday October 3rd

10am to 3pm

There will be a limited amount of free parking at the Long Beach Convention Center. If you are coming from the 710 South Freeway, be sure to use the "Downtown" exit. Enter the convention center parking lot at Shoreline Drive and South Linden Avenue and look for our Green Port Fest shuttles. See the map for more details.

For additional information head on over here

Shark Lagoon Nights are back & FREE at the Aquarium of the Pacific!

If you are looking for something to do with your family that is FREE and absolutely fun, look no further! The Aquarium of the Pacific is hosting Shark Lagoon Nights, every Friday night, from 6pm to 9pm.

The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon. There will also be live entertainment and fun for the entire family.

This is the perfect outing for a fun Friday night. For additional information head on over here.

Pirate Invasion and Fair @ Belmont Memorial Pier

If you are looking for something different to do this weekend you might want to check out the Pier Daze Pirate Invasion and Fair.

This annual event will take place on Belmont Memorial Pier in Long Beach. On Saturday there will be a real Pirate Ship attacking the Pier, which will be defended by local citizens. The pirate attack will of course feature pirates, cannons and sword fights galore. A limited number of Pirate ship rides will be available. There will be a kids treasure hunt, a pirate costume contest, and a beach funzone. Sunday will feature plenty of music and good times. The best part is that this is a free event June 27th & 28th, 2009 11:00am to 7:00pm Belmont Memorial Pier 15 39th place Long Beach You can find more information about this here

Target Free Family Sundays at the Museum of Latin American Art

I am a serious fan of Target and find any excuse to take a trip to my favorite store. There are many reasons why I love this fantastic store but as a huge fan of the arts- my biggest reason is that Target is a proud sponsor of the arts. Their Family Free days at local museums is an amazing program and it seems that the list of museums they sponsor keeps growing and growing by the month. Here is another one to add to your list. Every Sunday- Target sponsors the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)'s Free Family Day. Every single member of your family can enjoy free admission to the museum and partake in family gallery tours and art projects. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and it won't cost you a single penny!! Your family will absolutely love it!! For additional info click here. Museum of Latin American Art- 628 Alamitos Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone 562.437.1689 Have a great week and stay tuned because this week I will be doing 3 awesome giveaways that you will not want to miss!!

Free Tours/cruise of the Port of Long Beach- Free 90 minute Boat Ride

I received an email from a reader about a tip that I could not wait to post up. Starting in May the Port of Long Beach is offering Free 90 minute narrated port tours . The up and close tours will run from May to October of 2009. All you need to do is to go to this website and make a reservation- That's it and it's absolutely free. I already made my family's reservation and will be taking the tour in May- I can't wait!! Reservations Tours will be posted two months in advance, on the first work day of each month at 8 a.m. For example, the September cruises will be posted and reservations made available at 8 a.m. July 1. Click on the "Reserve Seats" button below to make a reservation. If the tour is full, and zero seats are available, click the "Standby" button to be added to the standby list. Those on the standby list will be notified if a seat becomes available. Directions and Parking The tours depart from and return to Shoreline Village in downtown Long Beach. The boat departs from Dock 9, next to Parkers' Lighthouse restaurant. Click here for directions. Aboard the boat, validation is provided for a reduced parking rate at Shoreline Village ($1 for the first two hours with validation, and $2 for each additional 20 minutes).

Shark Lagoon Nights- Free @ The Aquarium of the Pacific

I love free events. Come to think of it- everyone does!! I'm going to write about a Free event that you will not want to miss!!

I've posted about Shark Lagoon Nights before but due to popular request(my friend Amy) and since it's been almost a year since I posted - I wanted to post about it again.

Shark Lagoon Nights are held every Friday night at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. It's a free event open to the public. Shark Lagoon night gives your kiddos an opportunity to see sharks up close and personal. You will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sand tigers as well as rays in the Aquarium's Shark Lagoon. It's held every Friday from 6-9pm. It's a seriously cool experience and of course absolutely free.

I hope you will visit soon!!

For additional info click here

Shark Lagoon Nights- every Friday 6-9pm

Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way

Long Beach, CA 90802

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

If you are looking for a place to take the kids for a beautiful walk and if they love Koi fish boy do I have a place for you. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the Cal State Long Beach Campus is a beautiful place to spend an hour or two or even an afternoon. The kiddos will enjoy feeding the colorful Koi. You can purchase Koi food for 25 cents per handful. You will want to bring a container from home to hold the food. It's a great place for your kiddos to wonder around and enjoy the beauty of the garden. Here's the best part admission is absolutely free. Tuesday through Friday: 8:00a.m to 3:30 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 4:00 p.m. Closed : Mondays and Saturdays Admission is FREE The Garden will be closed to the public from noon on December 24, 2008 through January 24, 2009 EBM Japanese Garden Cal State University Long Beach Long Beach, California

Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Iif you're looking for something Fun, Educational and Free this upcoming Friday night look no futher. The public is invited to get up close with the ocean’s ultimate predators at the Aquarium of the Pacific for FREE during Shark Lagoon Nights. Guests will have the opportunity to touch bamboo sharks and see large sharks such as sandtigers as well as rays in the Aquarium’s Shark Lagoon.

for additional information click here