Tradition Lives On with Block Party Benefit

Update: Big crowds and a lot of $10 bracelets sold to earn business discounts.

Two Long Beach schools face each other on the football field next week. But first fans and players will come together for a pre-game Wilson versus Poly Pep Rally Block Party Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the 2nd Street neighborhood.

The so-called 2nd Street shuffle not only supports Wilson and Long Beach Polytechnic high schools, which are set to compete in a homecoming game at Vets Stadium Friday, but offers a wide range of discounts and freebies for drinks, dining, shopping and services when patrons purchase a $10 wristband.

Residents wishing to participate are encouraged to don the colors of either Poly High’s Jackrabbits or Wilson High’s Bruins and head down to 2nd Street.

There, they can buy the wristbands and $15 shirts marking the event and attend a pep rally featuring players, mascots and coaches. Fans can take pictures and support for their teams to the vibrant sounds of high school marching bands.

The pep rally is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in front of Chase Bank, located at 5200 2nd St., where a food truck and coupons from some local stores will be available to the public.

Read on for a full list of participating business and discounts, courtesy of the Belmont Shore Business Association:

• 2nd Street Beauty: 10 percent off merchandise
• American Vintage Barber Shop: $5 coupon for service
• Apostrophe Books: small goody bag
• Belmont Beauty: 20 percent off products, some items excluded
• Belmont Music Studio: sign up for one free music lesson
• Buffalo Exchange: $5 off coupon any purchase over $20
• Chuck and Toby: 25 percent off pet items and treats
• DeeDee Thai Massage: 10-minute massage/$5 off coupon
• Dogz: 15 percent off check same day
• Domenicos: one complimentary appetizer with two paid meals
• Fern’s Garden: Jacobs Musical Car Charm
• Francesca's Collections: 10 percent off purchase of $50 or more
• Fromex (at Chase Bank table): $10 coupon off photo phone case
• Frosted Cupcakery: one hi-top cupcake per person
• The Gap: 25 percent off any regular price item
• Georges Greek Café: 10 percent off bill
• Jones Bicycles: 20 percent off regular priced merchandise 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Kimberlys: 10 percent off merchandise
• La Bella: 10 percent off merchandise
• La Strada: one free appetizer with each purchased entrée
• Legends: 15 percent off total bill, limit one per table, per guest, for same day only
• Long Beach Auto Detail (coupon at Chase Bank): 25 percent coupon
• The Longmeyer Team: Chase Bank-free market evaluation chance to win iPod Touch
• Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: $10 off every $40 spent
• Magic Lamp: 20 percent off your entire check (5 p.m. until close)
• Mane Designs: Coupon
• New Wave: 20 percent off merchandise
• NY Upper Crust Pizza: 2 slices and a drink for $7.00, or buy any large gourmet pizza and get a free medium cheese pie
• Paradis Homemade Ice Cream: 25 percent off
• Party Props: 10 percent off merchandise
• Peters and Bach (coupons at Chase Bank): Coupon
• Polly’s Gourmet Coffee: 10 percent off
• Powell’s Sweet Shoppe: 10 percent off candy and gelato
• Romance Etc.: 20 percent off regular priced clothing
• Roe Restaurant: 25 percent off entire menu
• Rubio's: free guacamole and chips
• Runners High: 10 percent off merchandise
• Salon Soma: 25 percent off Aveda products, free haircut and condition treatment when you book a chemical service (color, perm, etc.)
• Simmzy's: One order of Haystack Fries or an order of Brussel Sprouts, one per party of 4.
• Subject Clothing & Footwear: 25 percent off all merchandise, $1 off any sunglasses
• Super Mex Food Truck ( in front of Chase Bank): Basket of tacos $3 and more
• Sway: 10 percent off all regular priced merchandise
• Sweet Jill's: 20 percent off sweet treats
• Tavern on 2: 10 percent off entire menu
• The Beach on 2nd St.: 20 percent off purchase
• Quinn's Irish Pub & Grill: $2 domestic draft beer
• Verizon (2nd and Corona): 20 percent off cell phone accessories
• Verizon Wireless (2nd and Granada): Free footballs, pens, and free phone card and charger
• Olive's Gourmet: Free green antipasti salad for the first 25 people who order any pizza  
• We Olive: 15 percent off from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Open Sesame: 20 percent off entire bill