The second annual Band on the Sand event raised about $1,900 above costs last week, according to Rosie Ritchie, director of the Miss Seal Beach Pageant.
Ritchie paid $4,300 in fees for city services such as security.
The Miss Seal Beach Pageant organized the pre-Independence Day beach party. Ritchie said she was planning to submit a permit application for next year’s event.
The Seal Beach Police Department “guesstimated” about 4,000 individuals attended the beach party on Friday, July 3, according to Sgt. Phil Gonshak, who is the agency’s public information officer.
There were no major complaints. Gonshak described the beach party as uneventful.
“We at the Miss Seal Beach organization truly appreciate the support from all the departments in the city, and also our fabulous sponsors, that make the Band on the Sand event possible. We are proud to be able to put on a free event for the community and are already planning an even better Band on the Sand in 2016,” Ritchie said.
Ritchie said she hopes to reserve tables for the Special Olympics and Ronald McDonald House at next year’s Band on the Sand.
As for the funds raised, Ritchie said the event would have made more money if the city had given them a grant.
Ritchie said she hopes the city will provide a grant to support next years event once they see that the Miss Seal Beach organization has created a community event. A 2016 grant, if available, would be applied to the following year.
Tim Kelsey, recreation manager for the city’s Community Services Department, said the fees that Ritchie paid were for the direct cost of city services provided for the event—Seal Beach police, Lifeguards and the rental of parking space.
Kelsey said the city invoices people for services rendered during a special event.
According to Kelsey, an event located on the beach near the water, for example, would be a matter of concern for Seal Beach Lifeguards.
According to Kelsey, the Lifeguards would have staff available for the event to respond if something happened.
He said the Lions Fish Fry, which is held annually in Eisenhower Park, would not require extra Lifeguards.
Ritchie said last year’s special event permit cost $1,300. Ritchie said in 2014, they had expected 500 to 1,000 people to attend.
Because so many more people than expected showed up, police recommended a larger police presence at the 2015 event.
The party was held on the beach next to the River’s End Cafe.
The guests enjoyed music and comedy as they waited to watch the fireworks show provided by The Boathouse on the Bay on the other side of the San Gabriel River in Long Beach.
Party guests gathered at tables or put blankets and folding chairs on the beach. A drone flew overhead as guests waited for darkness to fall. Seal Beach Police Sgt. Ron La Velle performed a comedy routine that was heard only by those who were close to the main stage located on the beach in front of the River’s End Cafe.
The Seal Beach Host Lions were his most enthusiastic fans, laughing or cheering at nearly every joke.
La Velle returned the appreciation. “It’s nice to see a drinking club with a service problem,” he said. Multiple food trucks provided snacks and meals to those who did not bring food with them.
Although drinking is not allowed on the beach, some individuals were seen drinking wine.
In the afternoon, an air show flew over the San Gabriel River, apparently part of the “Big Bang on the Bay” show at The Boathouse on the Bay. The fireworks began at 9 pm.
