Are you ready for the hottest party of the summer? The Sunset Beach Party on the AVP Sky Deck will be held on Thursday night, August 15, so it's time to lock in your tickets now.

The party, sponsored by the Downtown Manhattan Beach Business and Professionals Association, marks the official beginning of the AVP Manhattan Beach Open weekend. The party kicks off on the Sky Deck at 5:00 p.m., just after last year's AVP winners receive their plaques on the Manhattan Beach Pier. (The Sky Deck is part of the AVP stadium structure just south of the pier.)

Participating restaurants include The Strand House, Petros, Rock'n Fish, Zinc @ Shade, Brewco, Simmzy's, Becker's Bakery, Love and Salt, Pressed Juicery, Manhattan Beach Creamery, and Fishing With Dynamite. Leading off the musical entertainment is local singer Latch Key Kid; decorations will be provided by Growing Wild. 

Tickets are $55 for general admission and $120 for VIP admission. General admission ticket holders get access to all food offerings, plus two drink tickets and a cash bar. VIP ticket holders get access at 4:30 p.m. and a chance to mingle with the 2018 AVP winners, along with a dedicated dining platform and a private VIP hosted bar. Children under age 10 are free, but must be accompanied by a paid adult. 

The Sunset Beach Party is a favorite tradition at the start of the AVP weekend.

The AVP Manhattan Beach Open tournament is the longest running continuous event in the sport, and has become known as the "Wimbledon of beach volleyball." Throughout the weekend, world-ranked beach volleyball players will battle it out on the sand to earn the right to have their names enshrined on the pier.