Calling all LUCY fans!
I LOVE LUCY...do you???
Calling all Lucy fans!
Well, as you may have read from some of my previous blog posts, I was born in the same small town that the beloved and iconic Lucille Ball was born and raised in. In fact, her childhood home is only three blocks from my childhood home. I am talking about the small Western New York city of Jamestown, specifically the Village of Celoron, which is right outside of the city limits.
As you can imagine, Lucy is a pretty big deal to people of this area. Lucille Ball was among Time Magazine's "100 Most Important People of the Century". She has not one, but TWO stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The TV Guide voted Lucille Ball as the 'Greatest TV Star of All Time'. She was also inducted into the National Woman's Hall of Fame in 2001. These are just to name a few of big honors the actress and comedian achieved.
After her death on April 26, 1989, the street where her childhood home still stands was actually renamed in her honor, as "Lucy Lane". Jamestown also has a community theater which years ago was named the "Lucille Ball Little Theater". In recent years, Jamestown has added the Lucy and Desi Museum (www.Lucy-Desi.com), as well as named a local park "Lucille Ball Memorial Park" in Celoron, New York. In 2009, the village of Celoron erected a statue of Lucy. This recently got some national attention, evening getting shown on Saturday Night Live, and has been called the "Scary Lucy Statue". The village says they will have it redone sometime in the future.
Also, every year the city holds an event known as "Lucy Fest". This festival has changed over the years. When I was younger, it meant basically just a traveling carnival was coming to town. Over the years however, it has focused much more on Lucy herself. In recent years we have seen huge parades, with Lucy look-alike contests, and often her daughter Lucie Arnez would visit. A lot of big name comedians also come during Lucy Fest and have sold out shows! In the past, we had Joan Rivers, Jay Leno, and this year was Jerry Seinfeld! Those are just to name a few of the more popular stars. Tour buses of people from all around come into town to see the big name celebrities, visit the museum, and see her childhood home.
On August 6, 2011, the day which would have made her 100 years old, the city of Jamestown became a world record holder for the most Lucy look-alikes (915) in one gathering. This record is still held today. This area sure does give a lot of honor and attention to the first woman of comedy!
So, not everyone will travel hundreds of miles to visit Jamestown and see the sites, even though many do, but at least you got a little glimpse of the big celebration of Lucy! If she were still alive today, she would be 104 years old. Amazing how much she is still loved by her fans!
Well, as you may have read from some of my previous blog posts, I was born in the same small town that the beloved and iconic Lucille Ball was born and raised in. In fact, her childhood home is only three blocks from my childhood home. I am talking about the small Western New York city of Jamestown, specifically the Village of Celoron, which is right outside of the city limits.
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| Lucille Ball's childhood home, on Lucy Lane in Celoron, N.Y. www.59LucyLane.com |
As you can imagine, Lucy is a pretty big deal to people of this area. Lucille Ball was among Time Magazine's "100 Most Important People of the Century". She has not one, but TWO stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The TV Guide voted Lucille Ball as the 'Greatest TV Star of All Time'. She was also inducted into the National Woman's Hall of Fame in 2001. These are just to name a few of big honors the actress and comedian achieved.
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| The Lucille Ball Little Theater; downtown Jamestown, N.Y. |
After her death on April 26, 1989, the street where her childhood home still stands was actually renamed in her honor, as "Lucy Lane". Jamestown also has a community theater which years ago was named the "Lucille Ball Little Theater". In recent years, Jamestown has added the Lucy and Desi Museum (www.Lucy-Desi.com), as well as named a local park "Lucille Ball Memorial Park" in Celoron, New York. In 2009, the village of Celoron erected a statue of Lucy. This recently got some national attention, evening getting shown on Saturday Night Live, and has been called the "Scary Lucy Statue". The village says they will have it redone sometime in the future.
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| My son and I are the "Scary Lucy" statue in Celoron, N.Y. |
Also, every year the city holds an event known as "Lucy Fest". This festival has changed over the years. When I was younger, it meant basically just a traveling carnival was coming to town. Over the years however, it has focused much more on Lucy herself. In recent years we have seen huge parades, with Lucy look-alike contests, and often her daughter Lucie Arnez would visit. A lot of big name comedians also come during Lucy Fest and have sold out shows! In the past, we had Joan Rivers, Jay Leno, and this year was Jerry Seinfeld! Those are just to name a few of the more popular stars. Tour buses of people from all around come into town to see the big name celebrities, visit the museum, and see her childhood home.
On August 6, 2011, the day which would have made her 100 years old, the city of Jamestown became a world record holder for the most Lucy look-alikes (915) in one gathering. This record is still held today. This area sure does give a lot of honor and attention to the first woman of comedy!
So, not everyone will travel hundreds of miles to visit Jamestown and see the sites, even though many do, but at least you got a little glimpse of the big celebration of Lucy! If she were still alive today, she would be 104 years old. Amazing how much she is still loved by her fans!
I Love, I love Lucy! I grew up watching it with my mom. I can't resist sitting down and watching it whenever I see its on! This looks like so much fun! Looks like you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteYes,it's always a fun event every August. It's still amazes me the turn out our small city gets all for the love of Lucy! It's also pretty neat to talk to some folks (now all up there in age) who knew her when she lived here, before she made it big.
DeleteWow, what an event! Sounds like every Lucy fan should have this in their bucket list. Such a fun event to participate in, maybe if I'm in the area, I'll be lucky enough to join the fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, if anyone is a big Lucy fan, they def should check us out! Our hotels fill up quick lol.
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