The historic Queen Mary ocean liner in Long Beach will celebrate its 80th anniversary Friday by offering free admission to the public during a ship-wide party.
The daylong celebration will feature discounted tours, discounted parking and a 15-foot long birthday birthday cake in the shape of the ship, among other activites.
“Celebrating 80 years of global prominence is reason enough to invite the community to share in this special moment,” said Queen Mary General Manager John Jenkins. “We invite every Queen Mary visitor past, present and those yet to voyage with us.”
The Queen Mary was christened on Sept. 26, 1934 in Clydebank, Scotland and since then, served as the oceanliner of choice for dignitaries and celebrities crossing the Atlantic Ocean. During World War II, the ship also served as troop carrier for the Allied cause.
Before her retirement to Long Beach in 1967, the ocean liner made more than 1,100 transatlantic crossings, according to Queen Mary staff. The ship now houses hotel rooms, restaurants, ballrooms and historical exhibits open to the public.
Friday’s celebration will run from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. More information can be found on the Queen Mary’s website.
— John Schreiber, MyNewsLA.com