Downtown Jamestown was full of buzz with both out-of-town visitors and locals mingling for the love of Lucy as the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Center continued its Fan Appreciation Days.
Three bus tours conducted throughout the day gave fans the ability to visit downtown with an interactive movie that showcased many of the highlights of the city. A memorabilia auction was held in the afternoon at the Jackson Center auditorium, hosted by Michael Stern (dubbed No. 1 fan by Lucy herself). Impersonators taught comedy classes through the Komedy Kollege at the Reg Studio, then recreated an episode of the show later in the day. A steel drum ensemble played in the afternoon, and the headliner of the day was a performance by Suzanne LaRusch at the Reg Lenna Civic Center.
The annual downtown festival typically brings visitors from throughout the country into Jamestown for three days of such events, prompting area officials to commission studies to enhance a tourist's stay downtown. A study by several attractors - including the Lucy-Desi Center, Fenton History Center and Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena - is ongoing and will include recommendations to keep people coming to Jamestown.
On Saturday, several visitors were asked their first-blush impressions of Jamestown.
Name: Barbara Arndt
From: Allentown, Pa.
Favorite thing: "The museum. That was fabulous."
One thing you would change from a visitors point-of-view - "More benches for people to sit when they are tired. It is hard to find seating."
Name: Joe and Susan Mckenna
From: Sewickley, Pa.
"We are big Lucy fans. We came with my sister and we just got here," said Susan Mckenna in the gift shop.
"We are looking forward to the museum and the playhouse," said Joe.
Name: Betty Wallen
From: Louisville, Ky.
Favorite thing: "I was really impressed with the museum. I go to museums everywhere I travel and this one was great."
"The weather has been good too. Overall, I am very impressed. I came with my two sisters and two nieces. We went to the Komedy Kollege and the Tropicana Review as well. I am impressed with the quality of the actors. We are looking forward to the one woman Lucy show tonight.
One thing you would change from a visitors point-of-view: "More vendors."
Name: Lois and Bill Schmauder
From: Windgap, Pa.
Favorite thing: "Well we just got here last night. We are on a mystery trip. We have no idea where we are going. You pay your money, get on the bus and are gone for four days."
One thing you would change from a visitors point-of-view: "More vendors. We thought there would be more vendors on the street. They gave us four hours here and well ..."
Name: Anonymous
From: Philadelphia, Pa.
Favorite thing: "We enjoyed the museum."
One thing you would change from a visitors point-of-view: "Other than that there is not much here. We have four hours to kill and there is certainly not enough to do."
