Be you Latino, African American, gay -- or a member of pretty much any other ethnic or cultural group -- Long Beach seems to have an annual festival for you.
But what if you're recovering from alcoholism or drug abuse and partying means gathering with like-minded souls and not tying one on?
Andrew Martin plans to address this omission in the cultural events schedule by organizing the first Taste of Recovery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 under and around the Band Shell at Recreation Park, 5000 E. Seventh St.
"The recovery community in Long Beach is gigantic," said Martin, president of the Serene Center Long Beach recovery homes. "And I figured with a city this size we ought to have a festival."
Though alcohol will not be served, Martin said the event will have a party-like atmosphere.
"It's going to be a blast," Martin said. "It's a festival. There's massage chairs. There's face-painting. There's three-legged races for the kids, those costumed characters. It's a family thing."
There will also be bands whose members are in recovery, food and gift booths, raffles and carnival-style games.
Because recovery is a serious matter, there will also be about 30 information vendor booths offering information on addiction treatment facilities, sober-living homes, psychological services and government programs.
The event is being organized by Serene Center Long Beach, the Serene Foundation, the Substance Abuse Foundation, the Sober Living Network, the Long Beach South Bay Substance Abuse Coalition. Sponsors include Doctor Sober and College Hospitals.
Organizers expect at least 500 people to attend the free event. Word has been spreading in treatment facilities, Alano Clubs, sober-living homes and in 12-step meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
Though those expected to attend will mostly be those in recovery and their families, Martin said anyone in throes of addiction or alcoholism and wants help is welcome.
Also welcome are residents free of addiction issues and children.
"One thing about the recovery community, and the individuals within it, they're very chatty with one another," Martin said. "They're very friendly. It's almost a small-town feel in the way they interact with one another. It's a wonderful community. It's a fellowship."
