On Opening Day of Culver City’s Centennial Year, one week from Saturday, follow the Yellow Brick Road in the Downtown Block Party’s family fun zone from 12:30 to 4 o’clock.
Guests will paint bricks on the famous street from the Wizard of Oz. They will ,experience a 3-D Emerald City photo exhibit, watch acclaimed street artists chalk movie scenes, and try their hands at chalking the streets themselves in celebration of the city’s 100th birthday.
Guests will pose next to movie and television character standees from Culver City-based productions in the family fun zone, which is presented by the Culver City Centennial Celebration Committee and the Screenland 5K.
Designed by Lori Escalera, international street artist and Culver City High School alumnus, the 3-dimensional street art exhibit will depict Wizard of Oz characters running to the Emerald City on the Yellow Brick Road in a retro television set.
Guests may take photos of the illusion, interact with the art and meet the artist.
The Culver City Centennial booth at the family fun zone will provide information and merchandise for the year-long birthday celebration, including the Centennial Gala hosted by Sony Pictures Entertainment on Saturday, Oct. 1.
The Downtown Block Party follows a morning parade of 75 entries up Culver Boulevard into Downtown, and the opening ceremonies, at 11 o’clock, at the intersection of Culver Boulevard and Main Street.
Mayors and other officials from sister cities Uruapan, Mexico, Kaizuka, Japan, and Lethbridge, Canada, and friendly city Capo D’Orlando, Italy, will paint a section of the yellow brick road and sign their names at the family chalk area.
Run as your favorite actor down the Yellow Brick Road through the storied backlots of Sony Pictures and Culver Studios, a wizard’s rainbow and the Centennial Trail in the once-in-a-century family fun Screenland 5K adventure on Academy Awards Sunday.
Finish on the red carpet with Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler and the paparazzi in the Heart of Screenland.
The Screenland 5K will offer 25 percent discounts for participants who register at the fun zone. The Yellow Brick Road brick painting is sponsored by Cavanaugh Realtors. The 3-D Emerald City photo exhibit is presented by Screenland 5K Gold Wizard Sponsors: Turning Point School and 8777 Washington Blvd.
Mr. Cohen may be contacted at mrculvercity@ca.rr.com
