RPNA’s Annual Picnic in the Park
Sunday, August 17th, 1 pm–4 pm
This year we’re welcoming city officials, the Long Beach Fire Department, and some very special party animals
RPNA’s annual Picnic in the Park event returns on Sunday, August 17, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm in Rose Park (8th St and Orizaba Ave). All are invited—you don’t need to be a member of RPNA to join in the fun—to come together and build community by getting to know one another in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. We encourage you to invite neighbors who may not know about the event, and to bring family and friends along with your picnic fixins, a blanket or two, and lawn chairs.
This year, music will be provided by Rose Park resident “DJ Danny,” and we’re pleased to announce that the city’s new mayor, Robert Garcia, and our councilwoman (and newly elected vice mayor), Suja Lowenthal, will be in attendance, as will representatives of the Long Beach Fire Department who will be providing free hot dogs to attendees. Firefighters will bring with them one of their engines and will be giving close-up tours and answering questions about these marvelous machines and all things firefighting-related.
Marco Petkovic of Marko’s Treats will also be in the Park serving ice cream and other delicious refreshments from his famous “treatmobile,” so be sure to bring a few dollars in your pocket for a special summertime dessert. And neighbor Ray Rickafort and friends will be hosting a special complimentary lemonade stand. Both senses of the word are important here: offer a compliment to a neighbor and get a free cup of lemonade!
At 2:30 pm special animal guest stars provided by Animal Tracks, a wildlife education and conservation group, will be on hand to delight in a one-hour show that will feature, among other creatures, a monkey, a wolf, a fox, a turtle or two, a chinchilla, a porcupine, an opossum, a raccoon, some snakes, and even a kangaroo!
RPNA will be hosting a membership information table at the picnic, so if you’d like to know more about our organization, we’ll have representatives on hand to answer your questions or process your membership request, if you wish to join or renew. Our annual board election takes place immediately after the picnic, at 4:00 pm, so we encourage RPNA members to stop by the membership table during the picnic, pick up their ballot, and participate in the election at 4:00 pm.
A reminder: alcohol is prohibited in city parks.
