Lucy Fest-day two

Today, would have been Lucille Ball's 100th birthday. It was quite a celebration in her hometown !! Everywhere we went, there were Lucy look-alikes. In fact, my daughter dressed up as well (I just wore the t-shirt dress handed out with registration) to take part in the "Be a Lucy" event. It was very hot and took a long time to officially set the Guinness Book's world record for the most people dressed as Lucy, but we did it. There were 915 total!

We also went to the Desi-Lu Playhouse where there are, among other collections of "I Love Lucy" items, recreations of the sets. At the end, there was a large scrapbook for guests to write their messages for the special occasion. Here's Hannah, carefully signing the book inside a heart (and dressed in her outfit with her Lucy-do which took a good hour or so to create before heading out this morning)!

This afternoon, we attended the live radio show broadcast which was delightful. We then went back to the hotel to change for or dinner show at the recreated "Tropicana Nightclub." The impersonators put on a hilarious performance filled with scenes and songs from the show. We got photos of Hannah with Fred (who is also the character Mr. Larrytate from Wizards of Waverly Place on Disney Channel), a very authentic Ethel, a phenomenal Ricky (mannerisms and voice to the hilt!) ...but, the Lucy never made it over to our corner :(

Again, there was an evening of Lucy under the stars. This time, we saw "Stone Pillow". This was our first viewing. Although a very somber role, attypical to Lucille's comedy acts, she expertly played a homeless woman. On the walk back to the hotel we discussed how versatile of an actress Lucy was, how this movie proved she could master any role. She had a tough early life, never gave in to the many rejections she faced, and did what she believed despite what others thought of her. Such a role model for girls of all ages.