While Lucille Ball's hometown celebration of the year was in August, the Lucy-Desi Center will host a day of commemorative events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first airing of the ''I Love Lucy'' show on Saturday.
The center's celebratory events were spurred by the recent decision of long-time center supporter and Jamestown resident Greg Peterson to lend for exhibit a playbill - perhaps the earliest with Ball's name - which he discovered in the historic downtown Robert H. Jackson Center.
Peterson will host a brief showcase of the playbill and share how its serendipitous discovery is eerily linked to the anniversary of the iconic show that would forever infuse Ball and Arnaz into the consciousness of American culture, and the hearts and minds of millions.
Peterson's introduction and account will take place in the very auditorium in which the playbill's show, including a young Lucille Ball, was performed.
A full day of events is planned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the most successful sitcom of all-time:
10-11:30 a.m., 3-4:30 p.m.: Lucy Town Bus Tour, starts at Third and Main streets. Tour Jamestown and Celoron learning the early life of Lucille Ball. The ever-popular guided tour of Lucy's hometown, birthplace, childhood home, and more.
11 a.m.-noon, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.: Special Collection Viewing and Photo Opportunity, Tropicana Room, 2 W. Third St. See one or all five of our collection's Emmy Awards garnered by the show, along with an original script.
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Lunch Presentation, ''Celoron Amusement Park through Lucy's Eyes,'' Tropicana Room, 2 W. Third St. Enjoy lunch while Celoron Mayor and historian John "Jack" M. Keeney gives a presentation on Ball's formative years spent in her former stomping ground, the incredible Celoron Amusement Park.
5 p.m.: Spaghetti Dinner, Tropicana Room, 2 W. Third St. Re-live the Brown Derby episode while eating spaghetti just like Lucy.
7 p.m.: Free Playbill Introduction and Screening, Robert H. Jackson Center auditorium, 305 E. Fourth St. Jamestown resident Greg Peterson presents the playbill which features Lucille Ball for the first time as a star performer at the Scottish Rite Temple, now the Robert H. Jackson Center. Feel the spirit of a young local actress named Lucille Ball in the very auditorium in which she performed. Followed by a screening of the pilot episode of ''I Love Lucy'' along with the first episode of season one.
Seating is limited. For reservations and pricing information, call 484-0800, ext. 201, or email sbergstrom@lucy-desi.com.
Meal reservations should be made no later than noon today.