Culver City gears up for 2017 Fiesta La Ballona

Fiesta La Ballona takes place in Culver City this weekend, as the city prepares to go carnival-crazy.

Fiesta La Ballona, Culver City’s “Party in the Park” will be held Aug. 25-27 at Veterans Park, 4117 Overland Ave. The popular Culver City event features carnival rides and games, live performances, booths spotlighting local organizations as well as featuring artisan wares and other vendors, a petting zoo and pony rides, an aquacade, a beer and wine garden, food trucks and a food court, and other special events.

Fiesta La Ballona is bicycle-friendly and strives to be a zero-waste event. Admission is free to this spectacular end-of-summer festival.  Fiesta La Ballona is part of the City of Culver City’s centennial celebration this year.

Last year, Fiesta attracted more than 30,000 visitors during the course of the weekend. Fiesta La Ballona began as a weeklong celebration of the region’s early settlers and has evolved into a three-day festival that kicks off the afternoon of Friday, August 25th and closes down Sunday night, Aug. 27.  Fiesta hours are 4 to 10 p.m. (carnival rides start at 5 p.m.) on Friday, Aug. 25; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.t 27.

The City of Culver City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Fiesta La Ballona Committee organize and produce Fiesta with the support from scores of volunteers. A variety of local sponsors also help fund and support Fiesta.

The City of Culver City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Fiesta La Ballona Committee organize and produce Fiesta along with the assistance of almost 70 volunteers. This year’s Fiesta Committee members include Chair Marcus G. Tiggs, Vice-Chair Jeanne Min, Celeste Anlauf, Ronnie Jayne, Carrie Karney, Tashon McKeithan and Robert C. Wayne.

The committee received a proclamation from Mayor Jeffrey Cooper on Monday, Aug. 14. The Mayor said, “Fiesta La Ballona will provide a wide range of memorable experiences for residents of all ages, including live music, a wide variety of ethnic foods, vendor booths, and shows, and whereas the Culver City’s parks, recreation and community services department, in partnership with the members of the Fiesta La Ballona and other city departments, meets throughout the year in preparation for this important civic event. Now therefore be it resolved that the city council and city of Culver City hereby proclaims Friday, Aug. 25, Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday morning, Aug. 27, as Fiesta La Ballona 2017.”

There’s an extensive lineup of entertainment that spans a variety of genres and styles, celebrating a century of music in Culver City.

Friday, August 25
4 p.m.   Corey and His Cohorts (Jazz and Swing)
6 p.m.   Opening Ceremonies
6 p.m.   Fiesta-Palooza (Culver City Teen bands)
Eliza (6 p.m.)
The Nerts (7 p.m.)
Leaving London (7 p.m.)
Mediocre (8 p.m.)
Street Play (8 p.m.)

Saturday, Aug. 26
Noon      Street Corner Renaissance (Doo-Wop Quintet)
1 p.m.    Grupo Folklorico Macias (Mexican Heritage Dance)
1 p.m.    Fortunate Son (Credence Clearwater Revival Tribute)
2 p.m.   Grupo La Rosa (Mexican Heritage Dance)
3 p.m.   Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps (Blues)
4 p.m.   Ho’Aloha Polynesian Dancers (Polynesian Heritage Dance)
5 p.m.   Corday Undercover (1980s and 1990s hits)
6 p.m.   On The Edge Dance Studio (Hip-hop/Jazz)
7 – 9 p.m.  Hollywood Blonde (Top 40 Cover)

Sunday, Aug. 27
11 a.m. Cali Rose and the CC Strummers (Ukelele)
11 a.m.  Orquesta Charangoa (Cuban Orchestra)
Noon      Xorotroptzi (Bulgarian Heritage Dance)
1 p.m.   Crawdaddio (Zydeco)
2 p.m.  Brasil Brasil Cultural Center (Capoeira)
3 p.m.   Quitapenas (Afro-Cuban)
4 p.m.   Ballet Folklorico de Claudia Jeanette (Mexican Heritage Dance)
5 p.m.  The Fenians (Celtic Rock)

For more information, visit fiestalaballona.com or call 310-253-6667.