Long Beach, California is known for bringing the world rapid-fire lyricists like Snoop Dogg (pictured) and the late Bradley Nowell of Sublime. This Labor Day weekend in Long Beach, the percussive sound of rapid-fire table tennis rallies will fill the late summer air. On August 31 and September 1, the Long Beach Convention Center will host the 2019 “Ping Pong Fit International Festival.” The free event will feature fun games, prizes, celebrity events and intercultural exhibitions. The festival is the joint effort of the Global Creative Cities Coalition (GC3) and Ping Pong Fit. GC3 CEO Barry Sedlik sees the festival as the first step toward a grander plan. "We aim to make Ping Pong tables available throughout every city in America, just like every city in China," said Sedlik. "We want people to know that Ping Pong is a sport for everyone, regardless of age, income, or physical abilities, and it’s fun." This led to GC3 designating Long Beach America's first “Ping Pong Friendly City,” aiming to provide a model for other American cities to emulate. According to pingpongfit.com, "Ping Pong Fit is part of GC3’s three-year plan to secure and distribute tables and equipment throughout the nation." While the festival is designed to attract new players, many seasoned paddlers will be drawn to the sizable cash prizes at the LA Open Table Tennis Tournament, running concurrently with the festivities. And the beat goes on.

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