Culver City’s 63rd Annual Fiesta La Ballona Aug. 23-25

Celebrating its 63rd year, Fiesta La Ballona - Culver City’s annual ‘Party in the Park’  - will take place this Aug. 23-25 at Veterans Memorial Park at 4117 Overland Ave.

Fiesta hours are Fri: 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.;  Sat: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.  

The popular Culver City event celebrating the City’s heritage features live music, food trucks and a variety of food concessions, a beer and wine garden, carnival rides, artisan wares, and many family-oriented attractions for all ages and admission is free.

In 2012, the Fiesta attracted more than 20,000 visitors over the course of the weekend.  Fiesta attendees always enjoy family-friendly activities, an extensive showcase of local organizations, roving performers, and a mini taste of Culver City from local restaurants.

“The Fiesta is a perennial favorite for family’s in the area.  It’s like having a county fair in town with all the giant carnival rides, live bands that get everyone dancing and great stuff to eat.  There really is something for everyone,”  Susan Obrow, director of cultural affairs for the City of Culver City said in an official release.

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 Fri. Aug. 23 and closes down late Sunday night on Aug. 25.   The Fiesta is named after the La Ballona Creek, an 8.8-mile waterway that flows through Culver City. 

There is always live music at the Fiesta and Entertainment Chair Ronnie Jayne said, “Fiesta’s entertainment program features bands from across Southern California who will be performing world music and authentic American sounds. Community performances will also be diverse and include international folk dancing, bluegrass music, musical theatre, line-dancing, ukulele music and Polynesian dancing – something for everyone.”

The lineup is as follows:

Fri. 4:30 p.m. Jumpin’ Joz Band performing a combination of swing, jump, jazz and early rhythm and blues.  The evening also includes the “Fiesta-Palooza” where four of Culver City’s local teen bands will perform.

Sat. Noon:  The Mariachi Voces de Mexico will open the day

Sat. 1:45 p.m. Instant Replay playing classic surf hits

Sat. 3:30 p.m. Rocker Jennifer Corday and her all-girl band Kiss Me Deadly will bring their brand of 80s classic rock to the stage

Sat. 5:15 p.m. The social awareness hip-hop band The Bricks  (The Bricks concert is sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.) 

Sat. 7 p.m. The World’s Grooviest Disco Show, The Funky Hippeez, will be performing a two-hour disco dance party in their most flamboyant 1970s garb.

Sun. 11:45 a.m. Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca will open the stage with their cool blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms

Sun. 1:30 p.m. Upstream offers an eclectic blend of reggae and soca music

Sun. 3:15 p.m. Lisa Haley & the Zydekats will mix it up for festivalgoers with New Orleans zydeco.

Sun. 5 p.m. Katia Moraes & Pure Samba will close out the day’s live performances Brazilian-style.

The Fiesta is produced by the City of Culver City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Fiesta La Ballona Committee.  A variety of local sponsors also help fund and support Fiesta including California Mentor, Sony Pictures Entertainment and many more.

Fiesta Carnival Wristbands are now onsale. Click on the poster in above for details.

For more information visit, www.fiestalaballona.org.