Long Beach came together this weekend to honor veterans with live music, flyovers, a resource fair, food trucks and a beer garden.
The city’s annual Veterans Day Celebration took place on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 8, at Houghton Park in North Long Beach.
Perennial favorites the Satin Dollz perform at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees attend the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An attendee checks out military pins at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Air Force veteran Dan Pressburg, left, helps city officials rededicate a plaque in Houghton Park’s Veterans Plaza during Long Beach’s Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. Councilmembers Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie, center, and Tunua Thrash-Ntuk participate in the ceremony. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Army veteran Ryan Antes is honored by city officials as Long Beach’s 2025 Outstanding Volunteer at the city’s Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park. Pictured from left are Councilmembers Tunua Thrash-Ntuk and Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie, Antes and Mayor Rex Richardson. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Long Beach’s Veterans Day celebration included military flyovers over Houghton Park on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
An attendee photographs a wreath in Houghton Park’s Veterans Plaza during Long Beach’s Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
In honor of her military family, Zoe Barfield, 5, dresses as a young Marine at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees salute the Colors at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans are honored by city officials during a recognition ceremony at Long Beach’s Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Zoe Barfield, 5, takes a picture of her grandparents William Barfield, a Navy veteran, and Leticia Barfield of Long Beach at the city’s Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees check out resource booths at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees check out resource booths at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees check out resource booths at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Cabrillo High School Navy Junior ROTC presents the Colors at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Cabrillo High School Navy Junior ROTC presents the Colors at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Spectators look on as the Cabrillo High School Navy Junior ROTC presents the Colors at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The United States Army flag is dipped by the Cabrillo High School Navy Junior ROTC at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Show Caption
1 of 18
Perennial favorites the Satin Dollz perform at the Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Houghton Park in Long Beach. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The soundtrack of the afternoon came from performances by The Satin Dollz and Knyght Ryde — who rocked the stage. People brought lawn chairs to enjoy the show, while others danced to the groove. This year’s celebration also included a veterans and community resource fair — with more than 25 participating organizations — a kids’ zone, a bootcamp-style obstacle course, and flyovers with historic aircraft roaring above.
There was also a presentation of colors by Cabrillo High School’s NJROTC Color Guard and a veterans recognition ceremony, which featured an awards presentation to individuals and organizations for showing their dedication to serving the local veterans community.
This year’s honorees were Gus Orozco, the “2025 Veterans Day Celebration Grand Marshal”; American Gold Star Manor Long Beach, which was named “Outstanding Community Organization”; Ryan Antes, who was named “Outstanding Volunteer”; and an “In Memoriam” recognition to Skip Keesal, who died earlier this year and had his life celebrated last month.