By Darlene Brace
Lucille Ball is best known for her role as Lucy in the iconic television show I Love Lucy, which aired from 1951 to 1957. This pioneering female comedian grew up near Jamestown in Celoron, and she began her career in local theater before moving to New York City and Los Angeles. Lucy co-owned Desilu Productions, with her husband Desi Arnaz, which created shows like Star Trek and Mission Impossible to name a few. Before her passing in 1989, she shared that she would rather see comedy celebrated than be remembered with a statue or memorial. In 1991, Jamestown held its first “Lucy Fest,” which has since been coordinated annually by the National Comedy Center since it opened in 2018.
This year’s Lucy Fest has a great line up of events and will be taking place this week, August 7th-August 10th at various locations in downtown Jamestown. As in previous years, there’s a fantastic lineup that includes headliners, both seasoned and up-and-coming stand-up comedians, block parties, and fun. You can also enjoy delicious Lucy and Desi themed dinners and lunches, hometown tours, and more.
As part of this festival, the National Comedy Center will be open at 10am each day and will have special exhibits focused on the rich history of comedy entertainers that made big contributions to comedy as an artform. Some of these tributes will include comedians like Pat Paulsen, Dick Van Dyke, George Carlin and Lenny Bruce as well as Madelyn Pugh who was one of the I Love Lucy writers. Also included in your admission are special exhibits like The History of Improv and the Kids Comedy workshop.
In addition to the special exhibits at the comedy center, the Lucy Desi Museum features detailed historical facts about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, numerous artifacts, and replicas of the stage sets from I Love Lucy. It is a must-see for any Lucy fan.
Room at the Lucy Desi Museum with a performance by “Ricky Ricardo” on
the big screen that will include photo opportunities and a souvenir. At night
the Tropicana Club will host a Late Night Comedy Show, featuring comedians
from across the nation.
Beyond the National Comedy Center and the Lucy Museum, there are the famous headliners and many smaller activities focused on Lucy and Desi that true fans will want to explore. These events provide a deeper immersion into the Lucy experience. Be sure to check the daily schedule of events at comedycenter.org so you don’t miss out on all the fun activities that Lucy Fest has to offer.
On Thursday, August 7th, several exciting activities will take place. You can start your Lucy Fest experience at 5pm with a buffet dinner at the Tropicana Club, which is situated in the same building as the Lucy Desi Museum. While enjoying your meal, you can relive classic Desilu moments on the recreated Tropicana stage, and there will be photo opportunities with Lucille Ball’s Emmy Award.
If you’re looking for a more formal event, get dressed up and enjoy an enchanting evening at Desilu’s 75th Anniversary Dinner Ball at the DoubleTree Hotel on Fourth Street, which gets underway at 7pm. You can indulge in a delightful array of hors d’oeuvres, listen to captivating music, and participate in a fun-filled costume contest with exciting prizes. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate Lucy and make unforgettable memories.
Later that night, the Tropicana Club will host a Late Night Comedy Show, featuring comedians from across the nation. Many of these performers have appeared on popular programs such as The Tonight Show, The Late Show, and Last Comic Standing, among others. The lineup may include both well-known and up-and-coming stand-up comedians. Please note, some of the content may be suitable for adults only. Shows are scheduled for 8pm and again at 10pm.
Friday’s daytime events begin with the Hometown Tours. Departing from the Lucy Desi Museum, visit significant sites related to Lucy, including her childhood home in Celoron. Tours leave at 10:30am, 1pm, and 3:30pm. At 12:30pm, enjoy a buffet luncheon in the Tropicana Room with a performance by “Ricky Ricardo” on the big screen that will include photo opportunities and a souvenir. The Lucy-Desi Super Fan Trivia Contest kicks off at 2pm, where teams can test their knowledge and compete for a grand prize. At 5pm, join “Behind the Laughs: Remembering Bob Carroll Jr.” at the DoubleTree Hotel, led by his daughter, Christina Carroll.
Friday evening features another Tropicana buffet dinner at 5pm, including a behind-the-scenes tour of Desilu Studios that includes a Desilu souvenir. Stand Up Live will be at The Reg Lenna starting at 7pm and will feature some of today’s top touring comedians. Then, Late Night Comedy Show continues at the Tropicana Club with performances at 8pm and 10pm.
There’s plenty of activities to do on Saturday for all you Lucy fans. The Hometown Tours will continue at 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm, with the tour bus leaving from the Lucy Desi Museum. An I Love Lucy Trivia Contest will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel at 11am, so be ready to answer questions about Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, and Fred, and their comical escapades.
There will be a Tropicana lunch at 12pm, as well as Tropicana dinners at 4pm and 5:30pm. A free block party will be held near the National Comedy Center starting at 5pm, featuring beer and wine vendors, food trucks, and music by Jim Donovan (a founding member of Rusted Root) and the Sky King Warriors. The block party will wind down as the John Stewart headlining stand-up comedy show starts at 7pm at the Northwest Arena. Unfortunately, this show is already sold out. The night will conclude with Late Night Comedy Show at the Tropicana Club at 8pm and 10pm.
Sunday includes more fun events starting with a Tropicana Tea and Buffet Brunch at 11am at the Tropicana Club. Then at 2pm, SNL head writer Streeter Seidell and cast member James Austin Johnson will take the stage for Inside Saturday Night Live — an engaging conversation offering a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic show and the creative forces that have kept it a success for the past 50 years.
To conclude the Lucy Fest events, a Stand-Up Showcase will precede a highly anticipated performance by Bill Murray and his Blood Brothers at the Northwest Arena at 5 p.m. Murray — celebrated for his years as a Saturday Night Live cast member and his iconic roles in films such as Ghostbusters, Caddyshack,Groundhog Day, and many more — will join this powerhouse blues and rock band for an unforgettable evening blending comedy and live music.
The Lucy Fest in Jamestown is a one-of-a-kind festival that continues to grow, entertaining both locals and visitors from all over the country. The festival features special programs at the National Comedy Center, as well as documented historical information and artifacts at the Lucy Desi Museum. This unique four-day celebration of comedy honors Lucille Ball with a wide array of activities that embody her spirit and commemorate her legacy as one of the greatest female comedians of all time.
For full schedule details and to purchase tickets, visit ComedyCenter.org/Festival.