The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Sea Change fest to bring work, play, message SEA CHANGE FESTIVAL When: Where: Cost: Information:
As kiteboarders, windsurfers and others compete on the ocean during the U.S. Open Sailing Series in Long Beach, a small festival will debut with big hopes of making its mark on the environment.
The Sea Change Festival is set to take place from noon-4 p.m. Saturday to coincide with the series today and Saturday, a competition and training event for more than 80 athletes aiming their sails at the 2028 Olympics.
“Sea Change is about bringing awareness to all the things you can do on a daily basis to help improve the environment,” said Brian Lewis, senior vice president of retail development and activations for Kilroy Realty Corp., organizer of the Festival.
Up to 1,000 people are expected at the festival, which will take place on the sand in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore neighborhood.
Here are some things to know about the gathering.
The cleanup
This event is all about the environment. After all, Lewis said it was named
Sea Change as a play on words because the organizers want to see change happen. So those who want to help clean up the beach will get gloves, a bucket and instructions on what to look for and pick up along an approximately 2-mile stretch of sand from the venue site to near the Belmont Pier.
The music and art
As people clean the beach and hang out throughout the day, they’ll be able to hear some live jamming by San Diego singer and songwriter Jonny Tarr, who won the San Diego Music Award for best pop artist of 2020. He’ll be performing throughout the event.
And if you see giant bottles or cups or other oversize pieces of plastic trash lying around, don’t pick them up because you’re looking at inflatable art created by Jana Cruder and Matthew Lapenta, who dubbed their installation artwork “Natural Plasticity.” The inflatable pieces, which look like cups, straws and other plastic everyday items, are made of recycled plastic and displayed with the aim of sparking activism through art.
Sandcastle skills
Expect to see some impressive sand sculptures, since there will be professional sandcastle builders on hand showing off their skills. The public can get into the sand construction fun, too, via a sandcastle competition.
Kiteboarding
While many sailing competitions will be taking place far out on the water, the kiteboarders will launch from a ramp at the festival space. So expect a competitive close-up show of high-flying kites and the daring athletes trailing behind, skimming across the water.