What some say was a record-breaking crowd, thousands of Culverites and others from across the Southland thronged to Veterans Memorial Park last weekend for the annual Fiesta La Ballona extravaganza.

Children screamed with delight on a variety of carnival rides, teenagers exchanged furtive glances and adults visited dozens of community-related informational booths as well as mini-tents that hawked everything from $3-sunglasses to $200-skirts.

Live bands provided constant entertainment at the free event, which began Friday afternoon and ended on Sunday night.

Amy Thomas, flanked by parents Robert and Barbara, said her folks had taken her to Disneyland a week earlier to celebrate her eighth birthday.

"This is a lot more funner" she said on Sunday afternoon, slurping a giant snow cone that seemed about twice her size. "The people are nice, and there aren't a bunch of [long] lines."

The annual party is produced by the City, the nonprofit Fiesta La Ballona Committee, local sponsors and countless volunteers.

As always, the tireless Mike Cohen-whose volunteer work for a variety of local causes over the years has earned him the nickname "Mr. Culver City"-emceed most of the weekend event.