Kicking off the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum held a birthday bash for Lucille Ball’s 108th birthday. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

Lucille Ball would have turned 108 Tuesday, and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum celebrated it.

Coinciding with the kick off to the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, “Lucy’s Birthday Bash,” a celebration of the Jamestown native, was held inside the museum featuring a cash bar, a Chinese auction, music, cake and special guest appearances.

“In a way it’s a belated birthday party. Lucille Ball’s birthday was Aug. 6,” said Francesca Galbato, National Comedy Center programming manager. “It is a day late but we wanted to incorporate it with the festival, welcome Lucy fans into town with a kick off celebration with this fun birthday bash.”

The Chinese auction featured 18 items from the “I Love Lucy” TV show. The event also had a birthday cake to serve to patrons, but the cake was made in the spirit of Ball. Described as “Lucy’s favorite desert” by Galbato, the cake was the same that actor and signer Rose Marie used to make for Ball and Desi Arnaz. The festival, dedicated in Ball’s name, typically is held the first weekend closest to her birthday.

Galbato said the festival annually holds an event similar to the birthday bash to honor Ball and celebrate her birthday.

“So many people still really love Lucy and she’s so relevant even today in 2019,” Galbato said. “I think it’s important to continue that legacy because without Lucille Ball the world of comedy – she definitely had an influence – but definitely Jamestown would be in a very different place if we didn’t have Lucy.”

The comedy fest continues through Saturday with headlining comedians John Mulaney and Sebastian Maniscalco performing Friday and Saturday, respectively.