Thursday Thunder at The Pike Outlets Set for April 6

The Pike

Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets, the free-to-the-public festival that annually kicks off the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach race weekend on Thursday, April 6, will have plenty of action for the entire family.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets will feature Verizon IndyCar Series pit stop competitions on Shoreline Drive, west of Pine Ave. at 6:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. with three-time Long Beach winner Sebastien Bourdais and his #18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda facing off against Spencer Pigot and the #20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet. Freestyle motocross demonstrations will take over Shoreline Drive at 7:05 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. and Tony Carabjal’s stunt motorcycles will wow the crowd at 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 8:50 p.m. Spectator viewing for these events will be located in and around the three grandstands adjacent to The Pike Outlets at Pine Ave. and Shoreline Drive.

Within The Pike Outlets, fans will enjoy live music from Hearts Like Lions and Spencer Sutherland, as well as live DJs on the stage in the main Plaza. Food will be available in the main plaza from Famous Dave’s BBQ and other food trucks, and for fans 21 and older, a Tecate Beer Garden will also be located in the main plaza.

Car enthusiasts and racing fans will find a classic car show located on The Paseo, with local classic, antique and vintage cars, while there will be a race car display on Bay Street with professional drivers and crews from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Pirelli World Challenge and SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks signing autographs. Gamers will get a chance to test their skill with free race car simulators located on The Paseo.

Fans will also get to see the debut of the 2017 Miss Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach winners and have a chance to win prizes and special offers with The Pike Outlet’s street team.

“We are so excited to host this community-loved event at The Pike Outlets to kick off the Grand Prix," said Morgan Erickson, property manager of The Pike Outlets. “Grand Prix fans and local Long Beach residents are sure to enjoy the evening, with everything from extreme sports and racecars to shopping and dining at our retailers and restaurants."

Parking for Thunder Thursday at The Pike Outlets will be available in the Pike Parking structure at Shoreline Drive and Chestnut Ave.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place April 7-9. For more information, visit gplb.com.