Article by Erica Hagaman. Photos by Nicole Anderson.

6:30am | For whoever found themselves wondering if it was actually better down where it’s wetter or for those who asked as a child what the fish did once the aquarium closed, The Sea Fare was made for you!

Any under-the-sea enthusiasts, surf jam devotees, die-hard Long Beach aficionados, or just plain foodies who found themselves lucky enough to attend the Aquarium of the Pacific’s seventh annual Sea Fare fundraiser was guaranteed a night in fish-lover-heaven. On October 16th, from 7:00-11:00pm, the Aquarium of the Pacific offered their guests an epic sampling of gourmet treats from over 35 different local favorite eateries.

They hosted organic wine samplings, live music, an all-night open bar, and both a silent and live auction which offered exciting packages ranging from Dodgers MVP level four tickets or Lakers’ box seats to a 10-day trip to Paris or a family fun vacation full of theme park excitement. While guests stuffed themselves with delicacies from Long Beach favorites such the Mai Tai Bar (with their ridiculously delectable ceviche), The Auld Dubliner (who brought their amazing, in-house made brown bread ice cream), Rossmoor Pastries, The Sky Room, The Factory, and Bubba Gump Shrimp (yes, they brought a Forrest Gump impersonator), the open bar waged on late into the evening serving tasty brews and unique wines.

With the recommended $100 donation, each guest was offered all the aquarium fun they could possibly handle. And as I looked around at the dance floor, which was of course located beneath the aquarium’s trademark blue whale, it was obvious that fun was had by all. Crowned with childlike foam-board turtle visors, guests, who ranged from professors to entrepreneurs to children to the retired to the simple Long Beach fish lover, danced happily to the high energy tunes graciously provided by The Hodads, the perfectly quintessential Southern California party band for the perfectly quintessential Southern California gathering.

And as always, the money earned through donations and auction bids went towards the aquarium’s ongoing pursuit to promote and instill a sense of wonder and respect for the world’s largest ocean, its sublime inhabitants, and critical ecosystems. Who says doing the right thing can’t be fun? And for those of you referenced in the opening sentence: Yes, It is in fact hotter under the water, and it’s better down where it’s wetter. Don’t let next year’s Sea Fare pass you by. It’s an event to remember!