August 06, 2011

How many Lucys can fit in Jamestown?

Plenty of people will be saying, “I Love Lucy” this weekend in Jamestown as they dress up like Lucille Ball. Jamestown is hoping to set a new Guinness World Record, on Lucille Ball’s birthday, for the most people dressed as television character Lucy Ricardo in one place, at one time.

It’s all part of the annual Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy, also known as Lucy Fest. The celebration has become a tradition in Jamestown, which is Ball’s hometown. But this year, organizers are taking it a step further since it marks her 100th birthday.

Journey Gunderson, with the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy says a huge crowd is expected from across the globe. "We'll have Lucys from Australia, Great Britain, Japan, Canada, and of course a large contingent coming from California and a number of states in between,“ she said. “We expect a minimum of between 500-1000 participants on August 6."

So how will all of those people meet the costume criteria and qualify for the record books? A red up-do hairstyle is required, along with red lips and clothing similar to what Lucy Ricardo wore on an episode of I Love Lucy.

A $5 registration fee includes a basic qualifying costume complete with a Lucy mask, but that just won’t do for some Lucy fans. "We anticipate some very quality look-alikes to be on-hand,“ Gunderson said. “Our Lucy Fans come from around the world for this festival and they do not disappoint when it comes to donning a Lucy resemblance.”

Men, women and children are all invited to take part. Will the public prove that Jamestown truly does “Love Lucy?” Stay Tuned. Registration begins at noon on Saturday, August 6, outside Jamestown City Hall.

The festival runs from August 3-7.

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