Culver City is gearing up for its annual Fiesta La Ballona, event at Veterans Park Aug. 26-28. The popular “Party in the Park” will feature live music, a variety of food concessions, carnival rides, and various artisan wares. Admission and parking are free.
Carnival ride tickets are $1 each with discounts for purchase of 20 or more. Rides vary in number of tickets required with many needing 4-5 tickets per ride. Wrist bands are available for unlimited rides on Saturday and Sunday only until 6 p.m. After 6 p.m. only ride tickets are valid. All carnival rides will open at 5 p.m.
Attendees who would rather not have to deal with searching out a parking space for their cars at such a busy event, are encouraged to take the Culver City Bus with Lines 1, 3, and 7 all running conveniently within a block of the Fiesta.
Those who would rather not take the bus but want to leave their cars at home, are encouraged to ride their bicycles to the Fiesta. A free bike valet service will be offered Saturday and Sunday until 6 p.m. The bike valet is located at the south end of Veterans Park near the intersection of Barman and Overland avenues.
The annual Culver City event, named after the La Ballona Creek, began life as a weeklong celebration of the region’s early settlers. It has since evolved into a three-day festival that begins Friday afternoon and lasts until Sunday night.
Festival hours are Friday, Aug. 26 from 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Event sponsors include Sony Pictures Entertainment, local eatery Tito’s Tacos, Culver City Volvo/Mazda, real estate management company Lowe Enterprises, and professional roller rink team the Angel City Derby Girls.
Family-friendly activities, a weekend dance party, roaming performers, and a variety of dining experiences helped last year’s event draw more than 30,000 visitors over the course of the weekend. This year’s festival will feature a variety of performers including the Los Angeles-based Susie Hansen Latin Band, the Casa Sanchez Mariachi Band, Woodie and the Longboards, and Igor and the Red Elvises.
According to the website of the Culver City Historical Society, the event was originally known as the Fiesta La Ballona Days and began in 1951 as a weeklong celebration of the region’s early settlers. During that celebratory week, people went to events and even to work, dressed as Native American Indians, rancheros, senoritas, cowboys, and cowgirls. It was seen as an opportunity for the entire community to connect with its history.
Julie Lugo Cerra, one of the founding members of the Culver City Historical Society, said in an article on the Society’s web page, that activities during the early years of the Ballona Festival were designed to appeal to every sector of the community. Activities included a luncheon, hobby shows, a beard-growing contest, and an antique car show. In addition, two parades, one down the city streets and a second parade for children at Veterans Memorial Park, were regular features of the La Ballona Festival.
Culver City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Fiesta La Ballona Committee organize and produce the fiesta with the support from scores of volunteers. A variety of local sponsors also help fund and support Fiesta La Ballona.
For more information on unique and tailored sponsorship opportunities, contact fiesta.laballona@culvercity.org or 310-253-6667.
To learn more about Fiesta La Ballona or to sign up to be a volunteer, visit the website at www.fiestalaballona.org.
Veterans Park is located at 4117 Overland Avenue in Culver City.