Long Beach’s annual pre-Grand Prix party will once again rock the Pike Outlets on the eve of the iconic street race.
Thunder Thursday, the popular community event that precedes the Grand Prix of Long Beach, dazzles swarms of people each year with car displays, motorcycle demonstrations and other activities. The free event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 10.
The event – which is organized by Visit Long Beach and will kick off the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s 50th anniversary celebrations — will feature classic car and race car displays, live music performances, and meet-and-greets with pro drivers and pit crews, among other activities.
Thunder Thursday will also feature an NTT IndyCar Series pit stop competition along Shoreline Drive, with four drivers vying for a $10,000 prize, according to a recent news release from the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.
Those drivers are Alex Palou, driving the Chip Ganassi Racing Honda; Christian Rasmussen in the Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet; Will Power, driving the Team Penske Chevrolet; and Graham Rahal in the Rahal Letterman Lenigan Racing Honda.
Thunder Thursday will also have the always-exciting FreestyleMX freestyle motocross demonstrations, which will take over Shoreline Drive briefly at 6:30 p.m. and then for a full show at 7:45 p.m. For the third time, Iron Goddess, an all-female motorcycle show, will return to Bay Street.
A young race fan checks out the cars on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) Race fans have lots of photo opportunities on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) Hundreds of spectators get close up views of race cars and meet the drivers on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) Hundreds of spectators get close up views of race cars and meet the drivers on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) Hundreds of spectators get close up views of race cars and meet the drivers on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 5A young race fan checks out the cars on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) Expand“We are thrilled to bring Thunder Thursday presented by Visit Long Beach back to The Pike Outlets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach,” said Pike Outlets representative Morgan Blank. “This year’s free event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with tons of can’t-miss activities. It’s an unforgettable night of action, fun and motorsports that embodies the spirit of Long Beach – come join us and experience the thrill of the race in the heart of Long Beach.”
Thunder Thursday will also offer a classic car show at the Paseo, interactive photo booths, autograph signings with various drivers, a beer garden and multiple food vendors – and live music. Emerald Street Band and Manuel The Band will put on a show for visitors on the stage in the main plaza at the Pike, the new release said.
“Thunder Thursday brings residents and visitors from surrounding areas to mark the start of a four-day celebration of street racing,” Steve Goodling, Visit Long Beach’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “Visit Long Beach is proud to sponsor this free tradition, which brings the sights and sounds of the Grand Prix to the Long Beach community with fun for all ages.”
If you go
When: 6-10:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10.
Where: The Pike Outlets, 95 S. Pine Ave., in downtown Long Beach.
Cost: Free.
Parking: The Pike Parking structure at Chestnut Place off Ocean Boulevard.
Information: visitlongbeach.com
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