Movies in the Park this summer!

The schedule is not on the LongBeach.gov site, so I'm posting it here. Also, I'm looking forward to the new website: http://www.100daysofsummer.org . Sounds fun!

Movies in the Park sponsored by Signal Hill Petroleum

Bring a picnic dinner and blankets or chairs and see free movies under the stars beginning at dusk. Call (562) 570-3150 for more information.

06-28 Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel - Will J. Reed Boy Scout Camp 4747 Daisy
06-30 Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel - Stearns Champions Park
07-03 Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel - Somerset Park

07-07-10 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - Coolidge Park
07-09-10 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs - Signal Hill Park 1986 Jessie Nelson Circle

07-12-10 Monsters Vs. Aliens - King Park
07-14-10 Monsters Vs. Aliens - Recreation Park
07-16-10 Monsters Vs. Aliens - Bixby Park

07-19-10 Astro Boy - DeForest Park
07-21-10 Astro Boy - Pan American Park
07-23-10 Astro Boy - Silverado Park

07-26-10 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - Admiral Kidd Park
07-28-10 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - Wardlow Park
07-30-10 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - Chavez Park

08-02-10 Aliens in the Attic - 14th Street Park
08-04-10 Aliens in the Attic - Whaley Park
08-06-10 Aliens in the Attic - Scherer Park

08-09-10 Planet 51 - Drake Park
08-11-10 Planet 51 - Cherry Park
08-13-10 Planet 51 - Heartwell Park

08-16-10 The Princess and the Frog - Ramona Park
08-18-10 The Princess and the Frog - Orizaba Park
08-20-10 The Princess and the Frog - McBride Park

08-23-10 Up - Signal Hill Park, 1986 Jessie Nelson Circle.
08-25-10 Up - College Estates Park
08-27-10 Up - Houghton Park

08-30-10 How to Train Your Dragon - Veterans Park
09-01-10 How to Train Your Dragon - El Dorado Park

Queen Mary free for military

Celebrate Memorial Day at the Queen Mary this May! The Queen Mary is offering free General Admission to all U.S. Military personnel, both active and retired, over Memorial Day weekend. General Admission includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show. The offer is valid Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31, 2010.

“As the Queen Mary has a history that includes military service, it is only fitting that we provide veterans and active military members the chance to experience the ship and all it has to offer,” said Queen Mary General Manager, Uwe Roggenthien. The Queen Mary served as a troop carrier for five years during World War II so is herself, a military veteran.

Weekend activities include two song and dance tributes, Salute to America and WWII Swing Time Review, performed on the Sun Deck Stage each day, a balloon artist, magician, face painter, juggler and more.

Military personnel must provide their military ID during normal attraction operating hours - 10am to 6pm - to receive free General Admission. Parking not included.

While on board, guests can take one of the many guided tours including the Behind-the-Scenes and Historic World War II Tours and discover even more about the Queen Mary. Additional tours are sold separately. Also available are a variety of shops, seven restaurants and lounges and several exhibits. Finish off your day in the 1930’s-style Art Deco Observation Bar, as you enjoy a spectacular ocean and skyline view of Long Beach.

LA Times Festival of Books

April 24 & 25
UCLA

We've been going to this festival since before Rachel was born. It's a wonderful free event for the whole family (need to pay for parking, though). Fox Home Entertainment will have Michael Damian (Young & the Restless), the director of Flicka 2, at their booth on Saturday. Flicka 2 is the modern version of the story of a girl and her horse. Hilda the Talking Goat will, also, be at the Read Aloud booth. They will be using cutting edge animation to allow Hilda to interact live with children and families.

Target has a chldren's stage and some of the highlights this year are:

Saturday
10:00 AM: The Fresh Beat Band
10:40 AM: Caitlin Sanchez - Voice of Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer
12:20 PM: Jade-Lianna Peters - Voice of Kai-Ian from Nickelodeon’s Ni Hao, Kai-Ian
12:40 PM: Bernadette Peters - Author of Stella is a Star!
2:40 PM: Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver - Authors of Hank Zipzer: A Brand-New Me! #17
3:25 PM: Shawn and Marlon Wayans - Authors of Sneaker Madness
5:10 PM: Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players

Sunday
10:00 AM: The Fresh Beat Band
12:00 PM: Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary - Author of Puff the Magic Dragon
12:55 PM: Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete - My Brother Charlie
1:40 PM: Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players
2:55 PM: Robin Preiss Glasser - Illustrator of Fancy Nancy: Poet Extraordinaire!

I've noticed a difference in the children's lineup this year. They used to have music going all day, but this year there is more storytelling. Maybe there's a desire to get back to books? I'm wondering if this will make a difference in the "camp-outs" in the children's section. In years past, it was super crowded and you'd have to go an hour before to snag a good seat. However, as we all know, children are not about to sit for an hour even if it's to wait for their favorite star. Perhaps this will cut down on the crowds in that area.

As for parking, get there when the festival opens. Structure 2 off of Hilgard is a good spot.

For more info, go here.