Long Beach hits the airwaves — again

Just as the city took to the airwaves to promote that it was open for business in the summer, a new marketing campaign is underway to let everyone know there is quite a bit to do here in the winter months.

“New Long Beach commercials will be airing in the coming weeks, emphasizing all that there is to do here,” said City Council Vice President Fran Adelson. “Though Long Beach has been traditionally known as a summer community, we’re truly a year-round destination with concerts, festivals, and recreational activities from January through December. Our shops and restaurants are open all year, and there’s no place on Long Island quite like Long Beach.”

The marketing campaign to bring visitors back to Long Beach — which initially launched in the summer — consists of television, radio, print, web and billboard advertising. The overall cost was approximately $700,000 with $500,000 coming from New York state grants. Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Citi both contributed toward the effort as well.

“We have phenomenal shops and incredible restaurants, and of course our beautiful, brand new boardwalk,” said Council President Scott Mandel. “Just last week, we launched the new ‘boardwalk lights’ initiative, featuring colorful holiday and nautical-themed lights along a section of the boardwalk.”

The Boardwalk Lights festivities will run through December and into mid-January. The nearly ¾-mile boardwalk light show will be held nightly from Long Beach to Magnolia boulevards, every night from 5 to 9 p.m., free of charge. For more information about upcoming events visit www.visitlongbeachnewyork.com, or liherald.com.

Additionally, a holiday parade will take place on Saturday and will run through the West End (see schedule, below) and showcase a number of fire trucks, antique cars and even bicycles all wrapped in holiday lights.