With blue and green centennial banners decorating the pier, an estimated 5,000 people gathered at the Port of Long Beach to celebrate its 100th birthday on Saturday.
The event hosted music, entertainment, carnival rides, a historical truck display and two showings of “Faces of the Port: Celebrating 100 Years,” a documentary narrated by film star Robert Wagner.
The day’s entertainment included performances by jazz group The Yesterdays, The Long Beach Municipal Band, Long Beach Ballet and a panel discussion led by maritime journalist George Cunningham.
There were several vessels on display such as the OOCL Atlanta that was brought in and docked near the festivities just as the Long Beach Municipal Band began its set. A railroad and a real wharf was also on display.
Carnival rides, including a Ferris wheel and giant slide, added to the waterfront festivities.
There were popcorn bags, snow cones and hot dogs visible in every direction, as guests took advantage of the free food coupons given away with an informational booklet at the entrance to the pier. Free birthday cupcakes were given out later in the afternoon, courtesy of local pastry shops Krista’s Cupcakery and Rossmoor Pastries.
Dozens of tents hosted activities and caused foot traffic in every direction at Pier E. People flocked to the rides, games, free food stands, a photo exhibit, an art stand and a shaded theater room, where the documentary was shown.
Wagner, who was narrating the documentary, described the Port of Long Beach as an “unsung marvel of human achievement” that brings in 80 percent of the goods to the U.S. from Asia.
Raised in California, Wagner said that it touched him to be chosen as the guest of honor for the centennial celebration.
“The City of Long Beach and the Port affect everyone,” Wagner said.
“Faces of the Port: Celebrating 100 Years” included interviews with Mayor Bob Foster, Former Mayor Beverly O’Neill and former California Gov. George Deukmejian.
“The more people learn about the port, the more they will appreciate it,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill talked about the port being the biggest employer in all of Long Beach. According to port officials, it supplies 300,000 jobs to residents of Southern California.
The documentary mentioned innovations and changes that have affected the port over the years, including the invention of cargo containers that could be placed on trucks and removed for shipping, and policies such as the Green Port Policy.
The Green Port Policy, implemented in 2005, has been a vehicle for showing the port’s commitment to protecting the environment.
Recent changes under the policy include the “Clean Truck Program,” where newer trucks, produced no earlier than 2007, replaced all of the trucks previously utilized at the port. According to Thomas Jelenik, assistant director of environmental planning, this change lowered the trucks’ air pollution by 80 percent.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.