Thursday, October 1, 2026
A yearly celebration of the life of a Long Beach lover of dance and animals now known as Finn Fest brought out food and music lovers July 30 to a home in Island Park.
Named for Dorothy Finn, the annual gathering started in 2009.
President Norah Kelleher called it “A groovy little homegrown music and arts festival held on private property on the water in Island Park, opposite the Lincoln Orens Middle School. It’s a barefoot dancin’ in the grass kind of fundraiser.”
The Dorothy Finn foundation was started by Dorothy’s Family to honor her memory. Dorothy was a lifelong tap dance teacher and dog rescuer. Dorothy lived in Long Beach for over 40 years where she raised her family and taught tap dancing in the basement of her home.
In Dorothy’s spirit, the foundations’ primary goals are to raise money for non-profit animal rescue groups and underprivileged children. This year the foundation is supporting Little Flower Children’s Home and Long Beach Animal Rescue Posh Pets, Kelleher said.
