The sprawling Party in the Park, Fiesta La Ballona, opens a three-day run on Friday afternoon at 4:30 at Vets Park.
Fiesta is a free, signature event that ushers in the final month of Culver City’s year-long Centennial.
Fiesta, a salute to Culver City’s origins and heritage, will feature live performances, carnival rides and games, vendor booths showcasing local groups and artisan wares, pony rides and petting zoo, a beer and wine garden, food trucks, a food court, an aquacade, an interactive sustainability booth, and other special activities.
In the opening ceremony at 6 o’clock tomorrow, Mayor Jeff Cooper will welcome guests and there will be a special performance by The Actors’ Gang in the Fiesta Entertainment Tent.
Fiesta La Ballona event hours:
- Friday, 4:30 to10.
- Saturday, 11 to 10.
- Sunday, 11 to 9.
Fiestagoers are advised that parking is available around the Vets Auditorium and Sony Studios. To avoid parking challenges, guests are being encouraged to bike, walk, or take the bus.
Fiesta La Ballona is recognized as a bicycle-friendly event. Angel City Derby Girls will offer a secure bike valet for visitors who ride their bikes to the celebration on Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 6.
Culver CityBus provides bicycle racks on-board to encourage bike riding and public transportation. See www.culvercitybus.com
Music and dance performances, as well as special interactive are free.
Food, drinks and other attractions are optional at an additional cost. Carnival ride tickets are $1 each with volume discounts. Each ride varies in number of tickets required, with many needing three or four tickets per ride.
Starting Friday at 5, there will be a special offer of two riders for the price of one. Wristbands, purchased for $25 by 7 p.m. Friday are available for unlimited rides on Saturday or Sunday until 6 o’clock. Information is available by contacting the Recreation Office at 310. 253.6650.
There will be musical performances and heritage dance presentations in the Entertainment Tent throughout the weekend. The Friday and Saturday program will celebrate a century of American music and the Sunday schedule will include a diverse program of world music. Friday includes a performance by Corey and His Cohorts as well as Fiesta-Palooza coordinated by Flynn Namala and Ryan Silver of The Blank Minds. Fiesta-Palooza showcases five local teen bands: Eliza, The Nerts, Leaving London, Mediocre, and Street Play.
The performances on Saturday start at noon and will feature Street Corner Renaissance, Grupo Folklorico Macias, Fortunate Son, Grupo La Rosa, Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, Ho’Aloha Polynesian Dancers, Corday Undercover, and On The Edge Dance Studio. Starting at 7, Fiesta La Ballona will present tribute band Hollywood Blonde in a two-hour dance party featuring Top 40 hits.
The performances on Sunday start at 11 and will include Cali Rose & The CC Strummers, Orquesta Charangoa, Xorotroptzi, Crawdaddio, Brasil Cultural Center, Quitapenas, Ballet Folklorico de Claudia Jeanette, and The Fenians. Stilt walkers, provided by Red Swan Entertainment, will intermittently rove the park both Saturday and Sunday.
More information is available by visiting www.fiestalaballona.org
or by calling 310.253.6650.