City of Long Beach, CA
04/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/10/2026 10:26
City of Long Beach to Host Seventh Annual Celebration of the Young Child
PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
4/10/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 04102026-1
Subject:
City of Long Beach to Host Seventh Annual Celebration of the Young Child
Event offers free resources and activities for children up to age 8
Contact:
Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach will host the seventh annual Celebration of the Young Child from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Downtown Long Beach. This free event will feature hands-on activities and community vendors that provide services and resources for children up to age 8 and their families.
"Every child deserves a strong start, and the Celebration of the Young Child connects families to the resources, learning opportunities and community support that help our youngest residents thrive," said Mayor Rex Richardson.
The event will be held at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) and Lincoln Park, adjacent to the library. Free parking will be available in the Civic Center parking garage at the corner of Broadway and Chestnut Avenue.
This year's programming consists of a variety of performances, including Brillantina's Storytelling, a bilingual storyteller who uses fingerplays, action songs and props throughout her narrations. Also featured is Josue Cuentacuentos, a Latino musical storyteller who shares family stories, legends and cultural traditions. Mera Dance Troupe will also present three traditional Cambodian dances that celebrate cultural heritage and empower the next generation through education.
Additional activities include music and movement for toddlers and preschool-age children, read-aloud story times, a sensory exploration area and other educational hands-on activities.
Early intervention resources and screenings will also be provided free of charge to families with children who may benefit from them. Services include:
- 10- to 20-minute walk-in developmental screenings using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), provided by For the Child. This tool helps parents identify areas where their child may need additional support and includes results and connections to on-site resources.
- 10- to 20-minute walk-in speech and language screenings using the Preschool Language Scale (PLS-5), provided by Cal State Long Beach's Speech and Language Clinic, including results and connections to on-site resources.
- Pediatric eye health screenings provided by the University of California, Los Angeles Mobile Eye Clinic to identify vision concerns and prevent future impairments. Screenings include vision education, resources and reading glasses if needed. Space is limited, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
- Vaccination clinics offering routine childhood immunizations.
- Oral health assessments provided by the Children's Dental Health Clinic, including screening results, oral health education, dental resources, oral health kits and fluoride varnish applications.
"This celebration brings our downtown to life by providing a joyful space where our youngest neighbors can learn, play and connect with the vibrant cultural traditions of Long Beach," said First District Councilmember Mary Zendejas.
Information booths from local and regional organizations that provide services to families and children up to age 8 will also be set up outside on the library terrace with educational handouts that promote healthy child development and resources for parents.
The Celebration is a collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services' Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives program, the Long Beach Public Library and the Mayor's Fund for Education. To learn more about the Early Childhood Strategic Initiatives program, people may visit longbeach.gov/earlychildhood.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
City of Long Beach, CA published this content on April 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 10, 2026 at 16:26 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]