(This is part of a post that I wrote about the Lucy Comedy Fest for my other site The Virgin Traveler, if you want to read the whole thing).

I’ve been an ‘I Love Lucy’ fan for as long as I could remember. As a kid, I wanted to stomp grapes and wrap chocolate. I would hold bottles of cough syrup and pretend to do a Vitameatavegamin commercial (the drunk version, of course). And if I had a dollar for every time I said “Lucy, you got some ‘splainin’ to do’ or ‘Luuuccccy I’m home.’ No, I didn’t know anyone by the name of Lucy. I just made sure to say these famous phrases whenever they fit. I know every word of every episode of I Love Lucy and I only disliked a few episodes (the visit to Scotland is one of them). I wanted to meet Lucille Ball. More importantly, I wanted to ‘be’ Lucille Ball. She was my idol and I admired all the work she did to pave the way for other female comedians, writers, producers, etc., after her. I read whatever I could on her and saw her on whatever show she was on.

Years ago, when I went to Atlantic City, New Jersey there was an ‘I Love Lucy’ exhibit with memorabilia from the show, including clothes, awards, and props. I remember turning a corner at the exhibit and seeing a re-creation of both the Manhattan apartment and the California hotel room. My eyes welled up and I couldn’t control the tears that flowed. I felt that I stepped back in history and right through my television set. It was THAT good. I felt like I was in the Desilu Studios watching a taping of ‘I Love Lucy.’

When I found out that Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown, New York (only a five-hour drive away from my own home), I added a trip to this small town to my must-see list. I wanted to see where my idol was born and raised. Then, I found out about the Lucy Comedy Fest, an annual August event in Jamestown where there are comedy shows, grape stomping (yes!), candy wrapping (yes! yes!), tributes to Lucy and tours of “Desilu Studios” which is more of the re-creations and memorabilia.

This Year’s Fest

This year’s Comedy Fest will be held from August 3 through August 7 and if there are still tickets available I highly recommend it. Here are some things I did:

I took a tour of the studios and went to a dinner with the twins who played Little Ricky, Joseph and Michael Mayer. Spoiler alert, they don’t remember much because of how young they were, but it was fun anyway.  

Next, I went to a panel where Peter Farrelly (There’s Something About Mary (1998), Me, Myself & Irene (2000) and Dumb & Dumber (1994)) told really funny stories about his career. There are several stand-up comedians who will be performing at this year’s event including Jeff Foxworthy!

Dream Come True

Then, it happened! I finally lived out my dream of grape stomping and chocolate wrapping! The volunteers dressed me up similar to what Lucy wore and I stepped into a basket filled with grapes. It felt cold and goopy and absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t wait to start. For two minutes, I stomped in circles and crushed the grapes. The lady next to me really got into it and threw the grapes at me, just like it happened to Lucy in the episode. Can I say ‘so much fun’ too many times?

(Keep in mind that I have no idea what part of this festival they will be doing this year, so check out the website and see what’s planned.) The chocolate wrapping was a hoot and it was much more difficult than I thought it would be. Speed it up a little! They did! and before you know it there were chocolates flying everywhere and we just couldn’t keep up and we kept laughing. I resisted the urge to hide the ‘chocolates’ down my shirt and in my hat.

Recording a Vitameatavegamin commercial was awesome. I saw the home where Lucille was born and raised and heard stories about the couple who bought her childhood home just to make sure that nobody remodeled it (they were outside waving to our tour bus).  I went to the cemetery where Lucille is buried. I admit that I cried a little. I cried the day she actually died too.

I also saw the unveiling of the beautiful Lucille Ball statue. This vacation paid homage to the woman who meant so much to me — she made me laugh and inspired me to achieve whatever I wanted and not let being a woman stop me.

Jamestown is now home to the National Comedy Center. It was being built when I was there, so I didn’t see it, but I can tell you that you’re going to want to tour it.

If you’re interested in going to this year’s Lucy Comedy Fest, book now.

Are you a Lucy fan???! Tell me about it!