Grand Prix of Long Beach party gets started with Thunder Thursday

Long Beach’s biggest annual party is underway.

And it all began with Thunder Thursday. The free community event took place on the eve of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, with crowds swarming the Pike Outlets in the city’s downtown to enjoy motorsports demonstrations, live music and food.

Race fans of all ages get close up views of race cars on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

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)

Race fans capture an IndyCar pit stop competition on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Young race fans pose for a photo on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

A youngster cheers drivers as they take part in an IndyCar pit stop competition 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)

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A stunt rider takes his motorcycle high above Shoreline Drive on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

Race fans fill the grandstands for an IndyCar pit stop competition on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

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Formula DRIFT racer Connor O’ Sullivan and 4-year-old Leo Silva hit it off on Thursday, Apr. 18, 2024, at Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

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The four-hour event featured an NTT IndyCar Series pit stop competition along Shoreline Drive, two extravagant motocross demonstrations by the Freestyle Kings, a classic car show on The Paseo and autograph signings with various drivers. Manuel The Band and The Moon Jays also put on a show for visitors, while a beer garden and food vendors quenched the thirsty and fed the famished.

And it was all a prelude to this weekend’s even bigger bash. The Grand Prix will begin on Friday, April 19, and run until Sunday, April 21.

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Grand Prix of Long Beach party gets started with Thunder Thursday

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