Culver City Observer -

Free entertainment & activities at Fiesta La Ballona offers ideal summer attraction for challenging times

In an economy where families are watching their wallets, the Culver City community celebrates the diversity and heritage of the Heart of Screenland in the 62nd annual Fiesta La Ballona, Aug. 24-26, at Veterans Park. Admission is free.

Staging family attractions that offer safe, free and fun experiences at every corner of the park, Culver City's "Party in the Park" features bands, booths, regional cuisine, rides, activities and so much more coordinated by the Culver City Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Community Services and over 150 volunteers.

"There's free stuff happening all over the park to engage and entertain you all day. We guarantee there's something for everyone. It's the best deal on the Westside," said Fiesta La Ballona marketing committee member Kimberly Knab.

Live bands, community acts and roving performers deliver continuous entertainment all weekend, beginning late Friday afternoon with the Swing Set for seniors followed that evening by Fiesta Palooza, showcasing the area's top teen bands.

Culver City Fire Department relay races and bucket brigade pit service clubs, schools, Culver City Council and Culver City Board of Education against each other in the "Contests in the Park" site at the Disney Stage.

Fiesta guests stay cool in the new Culver City Fire Dept. mist zone.

It's a dog's world at the Culver City Police Dept. K-9 demo by the "Stage in the Park" scene.

More than 100 booths in the "Shop in the Park" venue offer unique educational, shopping and dining experiences for Fiesta La Ballona guests.

The Exchange Club beer and wine garden taps flow with regional and imported beers.

Some 25 food booths and trucks offer value-priced regional cuisine by the large dining tent at the "Dine in the Park" place. Participants can expect a messy good time under the dining tent in the free Essential Chocolate Ice Cream Eating Contest.

Early risers will loosen up in free morning fitness classes at the main stage dance floor. Besides aerobics to promote health and fitness lifestyle activities, "Wellness in the Park" includes the Robert Rainey Memorial Jog to the Baldwin Vista Scenic Overlook, laps at the Municipal Plunge, community bike rides and the Kiwanis Club Carbo-Load Breakfast.

Local tennis and paddle tennis pros lead clinics, exhibitions, and contests for youth and adults at the Tennis and Paddle Tennis-Fest at the tennis courts.

Fiesta La Ballona guests will indulge in the creative arts by participating in free workshops led by gifted local instructors every half hour, 12:00-5:00 p.m., in the "Arts in the Park" zone. Learn yoga and Pilates, arts and crafts, hip hop and international dance, and dabble in the martial arts.

Enjoy storytelling, navigate an obstacle course, and pitch a tent in other interactive attractions.

Vintage Culver City police, mail and movie studio service vehicles motor into Fiesta La Ballona at the "Classics in the Park" attraction on the Veterans Park softball infield.

Guests will read posters describing a bygone era, be photographed with dressed-up characters, and sit inside several antique vehicles, including Culver City Model A Ford Screenland Police car, Culver City Post Office delivery vehicle, Old MGM service bikes, Helms Bakery Olympic coach.

The Culver City Rotary Club will imprison offenders inside the historic Pokey jail.

The Aquacade at the "Plunge in the Park" locale offers free afternoon swim games, Aqua-Lilies synchronized swimmers, boy vs. girl match races among state-ranked swimmers, and a water polo match between rivals Culver City and Beverly Hills high schools.

You and your bike are pampered in "Cycle City" with bike decorating, bike wash, repairs, tech workshops, safety skills course and bike parade. The Palms Cycle bike, stroller and skateboard valet keeps your carriages secure. Ride the Culver City Fire Dept. five-man bike in the "Contests in the Park" zone.

Pitch a tent and learn outdoor skills Sunday at the Culver City Boy Scouts' Scoutarama. The Culver City Girl Scouts celebrate their parent organization's 100th anniversary by helping Fiesta La Ballona become a zero-waste event through recycling.

Fiesta La Ballona goes green with Eco crafts and classes on recycling and organic gardening. Waste bins will be labeled for compostables, recyclables and trash.

Surpassing the white-knuckle excitement of the Rock 'o Plane ride, the new Zipper makes its debut at Fiesta La Ballona along with more new attractions in the "Carnival in the Park" scene for kids of all ages.

Assemblymember Holly Mitchell, State Senator Curren Price, Culver City Mayor Andy Weissman, police and fire chiefs, Culver City Council, Culver City Board of Education members and more dignitaries will network throughout the festival grounds.

Cathy Zermeno, the first president of the Culver City Historical Society and former Fiesta La Ballona chairperson, will receive a perpetual trophy as historical society awardee at the opening ceremonies of Fiesta La Ballona, Aug. 25, 11:45 a.m. on the main stage. Former Culver City High School Coach of the Year Dave Sanchez will be honored as Grand Marshall

The Culver City High School Centaur, magicians, unicyclist and juggler will greet the anticipated 20,000 guests.

“Numerous volunteers have been working all year to “develop community” at Fiesta La Ballona by providing an environment where participants can interact with local organizations, agencies, and businesses; meet and renew acquaintances; have fun in a safe venue; celebrate the city’s heritage and diversity; and experience local creativity and community enthusiasm,” said event chairman Mike Cohen.

Fiesta La Ballona (www.FiestaLaBallona.org) is held August 24-26 at Veterans Park, 4117 Overland Ave. Culver City.

List of attractions:

Stage in the Park

Entertainment at the main stage

Friday 4:30-9:30pm

4:30pm Band: The Swing Set for the seniors

6:00pm Fiesta Palooza teen band: Caravan Blues Band

6:50pm Special guest: Conrad

7:40pm Teen band: Below 51

8:30pm Teen band: False Puppet

Saturday11:45am-9:00pm

11:00am Culver City Police Dept. K-9 demonstration

11:45am Opening Ceremony

Greatest Hits

12:00pm Band: Mariachi Voces de Mexico de Raul Sanchez

1:00pm Community act: Grupo Folklorico Tzintzuni

1:45pm Band: Smells Like the 90’s

2:45pm Community act: California Dance Center

3:30pm Band: 80z All Stars

4:30pm Community act: Dee-Lightful Prod. Musical Theater

5:15pm Band: Tom Nolan Band

6:15pm Community act: Ballroom Dance with Pat Ruane

7:00pm Band: Sgt. Pepper (Beatles tribute, British invasion)

Sunday 11:00am-6:15pm

11:00am Community act: Cali Rose & The CC Strummers

World Beat

11:45am Band: Orquesta Charangoa

12:45pm Community act: Line Dancing with “The Senior Steppers”

1:30pm Band: Bern

2:30pm Community act: Ho’Aloha Polynesian Dancers

3:15pm Band: Bennie and the Swampgators

4:15pm Community act: Murphy Family Bluegrass Band

5:00pm Band: Soul Dogs

Performance in the Park

Roving acts throughout the park

Friday 7:00-8:30pm

7:00pm Magician Fantastic Fig and his cat Newton (to 8:30pm)

Saturday 11:45am-6:00pm

11:45am Centaur mascot and cheerleaders (throughout the day)

2:00pm Magician Fantastic Fig and his cat Newton in food tent and carnival rides (to 4:00pm)

2:00pm Juggler Joel Paris (to 6:00pm)

3:00pm Unicyclist Tom Tietz

4:00pm Magician Fantastic Fig and his cat Newton in the Beer and Wine Garden (to 6:00pm)

5:00pm Magician Alan Rich

Sunday 12:30-4:30pm

12:30pm Centaur mascot and cheerleaders (throughout the day)

12:00pm Juggler Joel Paris (to 3:00pm)

2:30pm Magician Fantastic Fig and his cat Newton in food tent and carnival rides (to 3:30pm)

3:00pm Unicyclist Tom Tietz

4:00pm Magician Fantastic Fig and his cat Newton in the Beer and Wine Garden (to 4:30pm)

Carnival in the Park

Carnival rides, games and food

Friday 6:00-10:00pm

5:30pm Culver City Council’s first ride on the Giant Wheel

6:00pm Carnival rides, games and food

Saturday 11:00am-10:00pm

11:00am Carnival rides, games and food

11:30am Petting zoo (to 6:00pm)

11:30am Pony rides (to 6:00pm)

Sunday 11:00am-9:00pm

11:00am Carnival rides, games and food

11:30am Petting zoo (to 5:00pm)

11:30am Pony rides (to 5:00pm)

Shop in the Park

Saturday 12:00-6:00pm and Sunday 12:00-5:00pm

Art, business, city agency, community booths

Dine in the Park

Food booths

Friday 4:30-9:00pm

4:30pm Early Bird special food booths

6:00pm Exchange Club Beer & Wine Garden

Saturday 8:30am-9:00pm

8:30am Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast

11:30am Food booths and trucks

12:00pm Exchange Club Beer & Wine Garden

4:00pm Essential Chocolate Ice Cream Eating Contest (teens, adults)

Sunday 8:30am-5:00pm

8:30am Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast

11:30am Food booths and trucks

12:00pm Exchange Club Beer & Wine Garden

4:00pm Essential Chocolate Ice Cream Eating Contest (kids 12&under)

Pedal in the Park

Cycle City

Saturday 12:00-6:00pm

11:00am Tour de Fiesta bike ride (starts in Culver City, ends at Vets Park)

11:00am Bikerowave chain maintenance

12:00pm Palms Cycle bike valet (to 6:00pm)

12:00pm Walk n Rollers bike wash (to 3:00pm)

12:00pm Bikerowave flat repair

12:00pm Culver City Bicycle Coalition, LA Coffee Club bike portraits (to 5:00pm)

12:00pm Culver City Bus bike carrier demo (to 5:00pm)

12:30pm Bike safety obstacle course (to 2:00pm)

1:00pm Walk n Rollers bike decorating (to 3:00pm)

2:00pm Bikerowave commuting

3:00pm Bikerowave brakes

3:00pm Culver City Police Dept. “Volunteers in Patrol” bike parade

4:00pm Bikerowave flat repair

Sunday 12:00-6:00pm

12:00pm Palms Cycle bike valet (to 6:00pm)

12:00pm Culver City Bicycle Coalition, LA Coffee Club bike portraits (to 5:00pm)

12:00pm Culver City Bus bike carrier demo (to 5:00pm)

Contests in the Park

Culver City Fire Dept. relay games at the Disney Stage

Saturday 1:30-3:30pm

1:30pm Contests with Culver City Rotary & Exchange clubs (tug of war, sack race, obstacles)

2:30pm Culver City Fire Dept. and CERT bucket brigade to save the City Council

3:15pm Culver City Firefighter Long Bike Challenge (City Council)

3:15pm YMCA water balloon toss

4:00pm Essential Chocolate Ice Cream Eating Contest (teens, adults)

Sunday 1:30-3:30pm

1:30pm Contests with Culver City schools (tug of war, sack race, obstacles)

2:30pm Culver City Fire Dept. and CERT bucket brigade to save the school officials

3:15pm Culver City Firefighter Long Bike Challenge (Board of Education)

3:15pm YMCA water balloon toss

4:00pm Essential Chocolate Ice Cream Eating Contest (kids 12&under)

Wellness in the Park

Health and Lifestyle Fitness

Saturday 8:30am-4:00pm

8:30am Kiwanis Club Carbo-Load Breakfast

9:00am YMCA Zumba (main stage)

9:40am Fit Boot Camp, Irma Sandoval (main stage)

10:00am Paddle Tennis Fest (tennis courts to 4:00pm)

10:20am Jazzercise, Linda Webster (main stage)

11:00am Tour de Fiesta bike ride (starts in Culver City, ends at Vets Park)

Sunday 8:00am-12:00pm

8:00am Robert Rainey Run to the Hilltop: Sun., Vets Aud. fountain

8:30am Kiwanis Club Carbo-Load Breakfast

8:00am Lap swim (municipal plunge to 10:00am)

9:30am LA Fitness body works, Marisol (main stage)

10:20am YMCA cardio line dance (main stage)

12:00pm Tennis Fest, Michael Lanahan, Culver City High School tennis team (tennis courts to 1:00pm)

Arts in the Park

Creative arts workshops each half-hour

Saturday 12:00-5:30pm

12:00pm SmartSpaceLA art by Juliet (picnic table cover to 2:00pm)

12:00pm Shotokan Karate Do by John Heyl

12:30pm Yoga by Culver-Palms YMCA

12:30pm Pintsize Fitness & Sports by Sarah Miller

1:00pm Marina Tae Kwon Do by Keith Jones

1:30pm Belly dancing by Joy Druggan

2:00pm Scandinavian dance by Wena Dows

2:30pm Culver City Friends of Library story time, finger knitting, crafts by former Board of Education President Scott Zeidman (picnic table cover)

3:00pm Yoga Therapy by Shanna Hughes

3:30pm Yoga for the Teenage Soul by Shanna Hughes

3:30pm Tie dye by Culver-Palms YMCA (picnic table cover)

4:00pm Wizard of Oz obstacle course (to 4:30pm)

Sunday 12:00-4:30pm

12:00pm Scoutarama (to 4:00pm)

12:00pm Culver City Friends of Library story time, finger knitting, crafts by former Mayor Alan Corlin (picnic table cover)

12:30pm Yoga by Culver-Palms YMCA

1:00pm Tie dye by Culver-Palms YMCA (picnic table cover)

2:00pm Mixed Media by Joseph Mael (picnic table cover)

2:30pm Wizard of Oz obstacle course

3:00pm A Place Called Home hip-hop

3:30pm Pilates by Alisha Pye

4:00pm Country line dance by Ron Black

4:30pm Two Counts of Eight and Simple Groove by Darrell Whitaker

5:00pm Pas de Bourree, Running Man and Shuffle by Darrell Whitaker

Classics in the Park

Vintage coaches and displays

Saturday 12:00-6:00pm

12:00pm Culver City Historical Society Archives and Resource Center: Vintage Fiesta La Ballona and Olympic Games posters, costumes & photos (Vets Aud. indoors to 4:00pm)

12:00pm Vintage Culver City carriages: Police, mail vehicles, MGM bikes, Helms Olympic coach

12:00pm The Culver City Rotary Club Pokey

12:00pm Culver City bus, trash truck, police car

1:00pm Culver City Fire Engine Fog Zone (to 3:30pm)

Sunday 12:00-6:00pm

12:00pm Culver City Historical Society Archives and Resource Center: Vintage Fiesta La Ballona and Olympic Games posters, costumes & photos (Vets Aud. indoors to 4:00pm)

12:00pm Vintage Culver City carriages: Police, mail vehicles, MGM bikes, Helms Olympic Bakery coach

12:00pm The Culver City Rotary Club Pokey jail on wheels

12:00pm Culver City bus, trash truck, polic