Long Beach: City to Celebrate Westside Promise Initiative Accomplishments with Family-Friendly Festival
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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is gearing up for a free event that will celebrate the second year of the Westside Promise (WSP) Initiative. The event, called Westside Fest, is a joint effort between the City's Community Development Department and the Offices of Mayor Rex Richardson and Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga.

The WSP Initiative is a 10-year community investment plan that aims to address current and historic challenges facing West Long Beach. It aligns existing City efforts and leverages partnerships to bring about positive change in the neighborhood.

Residents are invited to attend Westside Fest on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, from noon to 4 p.m. at Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave). According to Mayor Rex Richardson, this event is an opportunity for residents to come together and celebrate the progress made over the past two years while also looking ahead to future developments in West Long Beach.

"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 Richardson. "The Westside Promise is our shared commitment to delivering that - by aligning City efforts, strengthening partnerships, and creating opportunities for growth and progress."

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Westside Fest, previously known as Westside Promise Day of Activation, will feature a variety of activities for festival-goers. These include a DJ and live music, local food trucks, hands-on art experiences, unique local vendors, resource booths, giveaways and more. There will also be special highlights for youth such as a complimentary meal, face painting 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.

Attendees can also explore showcases and resource booths from various City departments at the festival. They can connect with local businesses, discover nonprofit services, and engage with community-based organizations. The event will also include a learning session from Long Beach Residents Empowered (LiBRE) and the second Housing and Homelessness Opportunities, Mobilization and Engagement (HOME) Community Roadshow. This will be an opportunity for the Office of Homeless Strategy and Partnerships to present a dynamic display to spark conversation about homelessness and housing.

Visitors can also enjoy performances by local talent and students from Cabrillo High School. They can create alongside Arts Council for Long Beach facilitators and share ideas that will shape the future of West Long Beach.

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"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 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. They meet 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.

According to Community Development Director Christopher Koontz, Westside Fest is designed to deliver real results. It is one of the ways they ensure those results are visible, accessible and driven by community input.

"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," said Koontz.

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.

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