Two queens reunite in Long Beach to celebrate July 4th — and new Cunard exhibit
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Red, white and blue covered every corner of the Queen Mary for the All-American 4th of July celebration, but a very British VIP topped the guest list.
In her 85th jubilee year, Long Beach’s longtime docked monarch got a visit from a seafaring family member on Thursday, July 4 — Queen Elizabeth III, a current cruiser in the stalwart Cunard fleet to which Mary belonged in her heyday.
Mary’s visiting relative steamed into the harbor about 8 p.m. on Thursday.
In addition to all the usual Independence Day hoopla, festivities were scheduled to include a ribbon-cutting of “The Cunard Story,” a new exhibit set to open Friday aboard the Queen Mary.
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Meanwhile, Mary’s other guests were having a regally good time, with partygoers of all ages enjoying onboard activities.
It was truly a family affair, not limited to metal members of Mary’s lineage.
Related: Queen Mary-Queen Elizabeth III reunion in Long Beach rekindles decades of rich history and fond memories of stalwart Cunard line
“The Cunard Story” exhibit connects the historical dots of the luxury cruise line, whose fleet included the Queen Mary before she permanently docked in Long Beach in 1967, and the first two editions of Elizabeth. QE3 first set sail in 2010.
This is the second time the QE3 has docked near the Queen Mary — their first meeting was in 2015.
QE3 is the closest Mary will ever get to her sister, the original Queen Elizabeth, which caught fire and sank in the 1970s in Hong Kong .
Thursday’s event held great sentiment for Cunard, the Queen Mary and those aboard who remembered the original Elizabeth.
Related: The grand opening of “The Cunard Story” exhibit aboard Queen Mary on July 5.
“When she visits the Queen Mary,” said Commodore Everette Hoard of the Queen Mary before the reunion, “two of the most famous names in oceanic history can be together again.”
The All-American also signifies Cunard’s 179th anniversary. Their current fleet also includes the Queen Mary II.
Elizabeth will depart on her way home to England following the grand opening of “The Cunard Story” on Friday.
Around the decks, celebrants found lots of ways to enjoy the Fourth.
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Minn Vo said he’d attended the ship’s All-American celebration for years while dancing with the Hollywood Hotspots.
“We perform swing dance and a lot of ’40s-style dancing,” Vo said. “We come every year and perform with other musicians and singers.”
Vo wooed audience members in to join in on the high-stepping.
“The audience is super responsive to dancing with us,” he said. “They love it.”
Related: Here’s how groovy the Smokin’ Grooves festival was at the Queen Mary
Not far away, musical quartets performed, line-dance classes welcomed several celebrants — including, noticeably, some beginners — and other activities kept guests busy.
For children, talent shows and arts and crafts were available and bounce houses populated the upper decks.
But Kids Imagine Nation seemed to be the most popular activity for kids.
“We’re a YouTube web series for kids,” said Rachel Charest-Bertram, one of the shows characters. “We’re all musicians and singers and we wanted to write music for families.”
The group, made up of three characters, teaches science and educates — but in a fun, goofy way Charest-Bertram said.
Kids spun about with colorful scarves, picking their favorite colors and dancing along to songs. Even some parents joined in.
Critters got in on the event, too, with special appearances by a turtle, a falcon and an owl.
‘The Cunard Story’ exhibit’s debut
WHERE: M Deck, The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
WHEN: Friday, July 5, 10-11 a.m. The formal dedication of “The Cunard Story” will follow on July 5 starting at 10 a.m. The exhibit will be free to the public from 10 a.m. until noon on opening day only. Visitors will need tickets for the exhibit thereafter.
TICKETS: Adults (ages 4 and older): $40; Children (ages 2-11): $20
For more information, go to www.queenmary.com.