Lucille Ball’s birthday bash

Written for The Villager

   For Lucille Ball fans everywhere, this is the right celebration for you. Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7 is the time to relive and celebrate Lucy, and even Desi’s life.

   Although the celebration is smaller this year, said Sharon Bergstron, the assistant to the executive director, the Lucy-Desi Center still expects a lot of people to come and celebrate Ball’s life. “We hopefully will have just as many people as the other year come.” 

   The celebration pulls people from all over the world in to celebrate one of comedy’s most beloved actresses. “This is fantastic for our community, said Bergstron. “We get people from all over the country, plus all over the world … From California to Canada we get people. It’s a big draw for all of Western New York.” 

   First of all, the celebration will feature two birthday parties commemorating what would have been Ball’s 99 birthday. From noon to 3 p.m. both days, the center will host the parties at the Taste of Jamestown. The Taste is thrown by the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation on Third Street between Pine and Cherry, according to a press release from the Center. The party will feature cakes donated by local Jamestown bakeries, caterers and stores. There will also be a special wine tasting of Willow Creek Winery’s chocolate wine.

   The birthday celebration will also feature a silent auction, which Desilu workers are keeping under wraps. “We’re actually not telling people about it,” said Bergstron. “We want people to come and be surprised.”

   Following the tradition of Ball’s passion, there will be a performance by comedian, Chris “Crazy Legs” Fonseca at 7:30 p.m. on Friday the 6. Chris has appeared on The American Comedy Awards, Entertainment Tonight, The Howard Stern Show and Late Night with David Letterman, as well as many others. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at either the center’s museum gift shops, the Reg Lenna box office or online at www.lucy-desi.com, according to the press release.

   To celebrate this year even more, the Lucy-Desi Center is offering a special deal. The center is not only offering a great way to celebrate Lucy’s birthday, but a great way to remember her and some of “I Love Lucy’s” favorite moments. For Friday and Saturday only, people can get into both the Lucy-Desi Museum and the Desilu Playhouse for only $10 per person.

   People can find out more information online or by calling 716-484-0880, or toll-free at 1-877-LUCY-FAN.