Short is widely known for his work in comedy, particularly through Second City Television and Saturday Night Live, where he is both a former-cast member and a three-time host (which recently earned him a spot in the 5-timers club in the SNL episode hosted by Justin Timberlake). He has starred in such iconic comedy films as Three Amigos, Mars Attacks!, Father of the Bride Parts I and II, and has created the characters of Jiminy Glick and Ed Grimley.

Most recently, Short hosted the Saturday Night Live Christmas 2012 Special, was named by Vanity Fair in their January 2013 issue as “Hollywood’s Most Beloved Comedian”, and is working with Lorne Michaels to create a new television show on NBC.

“I’ve personally talked to a number of people about comedians they would be interested in seeing,” said Kurt Silcott, CEO for the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena. “People locally, people in Buffalo and places within driving distance.  I’ve mentioned a number of names, but one name always came back a winner; every person I asked has told me that they would go to great lengths to see Martin Short.  I recall him in the movie ‘Innerspace’ and I’m excited that he will be performing right here in Jamestown, NY.  I think we’ll have people register for the race, simply to get the inside track to get tickets to his performance.  We’ve seen the success of our Friday night comedy and I believe that Jamestown has a thirst for comedy.”

“Martin Short is one of those rare entertainers I can mention to my son, my husband, and my father and all of them want tickets,” said Deb Kathman, executive director for Chautauqua Striders. “His popularity crosses generations, which will make for a really fun show.”

An exclusive pre-sale window is available to registered race participants ONLY from now until June 31st by visiting LucyRace.com or calling the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy at (716)484-0800 during regular office hours (Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm). Registrants will be able to buy up to 8 tickets at a time by entering a code received via e-mail after registering for either the 5k or half marathon online. Race registration is also available at LucyRace.com.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 1^st at 10:00am.

“Martin Short is one of the great entertainers of our era,” said Journey Gunderson, executive director for the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy. “He’s a legend. The chance to see him live in Jamestown, New York is once-in-a-lifetime.”

Runners of all abilities will come to the Jamestown area on October 12-13 (Columbus Day Weekend) for a weekend of events including a 5k run, a 13.1-mile half marathon, a sports expo at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, and a “Night of Comedy” featuring Martin Short. The 5k run will take place on October 12, and the half marathon will take place on October 13. The goal of the weekend is to promote a healthy lifestyle and the Jamestown area.

The USATF certified course, which begins and ends in Jamestown, runs through the neighboring towns of Lakewood and Celeron. The course travels near the childhood home of Jamestown’s own Lucille Ball and the Lucille Ball Memorial Park.

David Reinhardt, competition director for Chautauqua Striders with 20 years expertise as a coach and track & field event organizer, will be consulting with USATF road racing colleagues from across the nation to put on a first class race in Jamestown. Reinhardt has organized many large athletic events, and as the Entry and Results Chair of the 2003 USATF Athletics National Championships in Buffalo, NY, he oversaw the first ever online entry for over 2,000 athletes.

Univera Healthcare is the presenting sponsor for the weekend’s events.

Lucy Town organizers are still seeking groups or individuals to serve as event volunteers.  No running experience necessary as there are a wide variety of roles needed for the weekend event. Positions may be available for a wide array of skills and interest, ranging from registering athletes and distributing information, to providing course side refreshments at water and food stations.  For more information or to sign up please visit www.LucyRace.com

About the Race Organizers

Lucy Desi Center for Comedy

Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY has honored the legacy of “The First Couple of Comedy” with its renowned museum attraction since 1996. Tripling in size in 2006, the mission of the museum and center for comedy is to preserve the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter through its commitment to the development of the comedic arts. The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy produces the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival annually, and will feature performances by Bill Engvall, Kathleen Madigan, a “Comics to Watch” showcase of upcoming comedians presented by Pandora, the leads from the touring stage show hit I Love Lucy® Live on Stage, three nights of late-night comedy in the Tropicana Room that will be co-produced by Rooftop Comedy and recorded as a live comedy album, Lucille Ball’s former personal secretary Wanda Clark, the GI’s of Comedy, Summer Wind Cruises, and Gregg Oppenheimer’s Live Lucy Radio Play. Tickets for these events, and more, will be available at LucyComedyFest.com starting April 24th.

Chautauqua Striders

Originally founded in 1979 as a local track club, Chautauqua Striders has since developed into a multi-faceted community organization, proudly offering diversified programs that incorporate its mission to “mentor and guide youth through education, advocacy and athletics.”  The not-for-profit agency, based in Jamestown, New York, provides tutoring, mentoring, outreach and athletic programs to more than 2,000 Chautauqua County youth annually.  The goal of Chautauqua Striders is to help youth graduate high school inspired with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for successful college and career experiences.

Chautauqua Striders has 15 years of experience managing and timing road races and regional track & field competitions.

Jamestown Savings Bank Arena

The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena opened its doors in 2002 as a centralized community center in downtown Jamestown. The twin pad ice facility had an original focus on ice sports, primarily hockey and figure skating, but has widened its goals to become a multipurpose sports and entertainment venue.

Over the years, the not-for-profit organization has produced a variety of events including family shows, concerts and in 2011, hosted preliminary games for the IIHF World Jr. Hockey Championships. Most recently, JSBA was featured on NBC’s national telecast of the Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular, which was recorded at the Arena last December.

The Jamestown Arena is also home to the Jamestown Ironmen, who compete in the North American Hockey League. JSBA has also broadened its horizons with the addition of turf sports to its programming along with a free outdoor concert series throughout the summer. The Arena seeks to move forward with new ideas, an expanded selection of programming and entertainment, but still prides itself on being a community center for Jamestown’s youth and families alike.

Additionally, the leads from the touring stage show hit I Love Lucy® Live on Stage, three nights of late-night comedy in the Tropicana Room that will be co-produced by Rooftop Comedy and recorded as a live comedy album, Lucille Ball’s former personal secretary Wanda Clark, the GI’s of Comedy, Summer Wind Cruises, and Gregg Oppenheimer’s Live Lucy Radio Play will be a part of the four-day festival.

Tickets for the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival will go on sale on April 24^th, and can be purchased by visiting www.lucycomedyfest.com or calling (716)484-0800.  Committed partners and museum members receive access to a Pre-Sale period beginning April 17.

Bill Engvall, who will be performing at the Reg Lenna Civic Center on August 3rd, is a headlining member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Touring alongside the likes of Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, and Larry the Cable Guy, Engvall’s Blue Collar Comedy movies have sold more than 9 million units and are among some of the most watched specials in Comedy Central History.

Kathleen Madigan, who will be performing at the Reg Lenna on August 2nd, has never been hotter in her 25 year career.  She is a frequent performer on Leno, Letterman, Conan, Ferguson and nearly every other late night talk show. Her stand-up show has been featured in 3 hour-long specials on HBO, Showtime, and Comedy Central; and she has also performed for American soldiers overseas on multiple tours with the likes of Robin Williams and Lewis Black. She’s a regular on SIRIUS-XM Radio, and recently won the listener determined “SIRIUS Challenge Cup,” deeming her the number one favorite comedian played on SIRIUS-XM radio.

On the evening of August 1st, The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy and Pandora will be teaming up to present the stand-up showcase, “Comics to Watch”. Additionally, Pandora and the Lucy Desi Center are working together to develop an interactive exhibit with data from Pandora’s Comedy Genome Project TM. The exhibit will be located at the Jamestown Gateway Train Station during the festival.

“Pandora is very excited to be working with the Lucy Desi Center on this first-of-its kind comedy attraction,” said Kelly Anneken, comedy curator at Pandora. “Helping Jamestown visitors learn more about America’s rich humorous history is perfectly aligned with Pandora’s mission to connect our listeners to comedy they love. We’re also thrilled to carry on the legacy of one of American comedy’s greatest stars by presenting a showcase at this year’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.”

Pandora launched Comedy in May of 2011, and currently features more than 20,000 comedy tracks in its catalog from more than 1,500 comedians.

The lead actors that portray Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in the hit, I Love Lucy® Live on Stage, will also be visiting Jamestown during the festival. They will be giving an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what goes in to making their hit show. In addition to this show, I Love Lucy® Live on Stage will be performing at Shea’s Performing Arts Center from September 17-October 13.

By popular demand, Gregg Oppenheimer, son of I Love Lucy creator Jess Oppenheimer, returns to Jamestown to direct more radio comedy onstage at the Crown Theatre. Gregg’s live radio shows at previous festivals have been featured on SIRIUS-XM Radio. This year’s show will feature two episodes, Baby Snooks and Liz Changes her Mind, and will be performed in the style of old-time radio.

Rooftop Comedy, who has co-produced late-night comedy shows in the Tropicana Room in previous years, will be recording a live comedy album for this year’s late-night shows. Rooftop Comedy produces original event programming, from local comedy festivals to national comedy events and tours. Past year’s performers include Harrison Greenbaum, Adam Newman, Joe Machi, Phoebe Robinson, Kyle Grooms and more.

In addition to announcing this year’s festival line-up, The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy revealed they are in the master-planning stage of developing a national center for comedy in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, NY. Jack Rouse Associates (JRA), named by The Wall Street Journal as “one of the world’s more prominent design firms,” has recently been contracted to develop a master plan for a national comedy center which could be based at the Jamestown Gateway Train Station.

JRA has produced museum attractions for clients including Universal Studios, the Kennedy Space Center, LEGOLAND California, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the NCAA Hall of Champions, Warner Brothers, Ripley’s Believe It or Not in London, Curious George Goes to Town, and countless other museums and theme park attractions around the globe.

ABOUT THE LUCILLE BALL COMEDY FESTIVAL

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, or “Lucy Fest,” embodies Ball’s vision for her hometown legacy: a celebration of the comedic arts held annually on the weekend closest to her birth date, August 6th. The 2013 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival will take place August 1^st-4^th, and feature performances by Bill Engvall, Kathleen Madigan, a showcase of rising comedians presented by Pandora internet radio, the GIs of Comedy, I Love Lucy® Live on Stage, Live Lucy Radio Plays and much more. Visit www.LucyComedyFest.com for more information.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is the first pillar in a four-pillar Legacy of Laughter vision for the organization, including a comedic arts education program, comedy film festival and the establishment of the first national center for comedy.

The mission of the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is to preserve the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter through its commitment to the development of the comedic arts.

Runners of all abilities will come to the Jamestown area on October 12-13 (Columbus Day Weekend) for a weekend of events including a 5k run, a sports expo, and a “Night of Comedy”. The festivities will culminate with a 13.1 mile half marathon run on October 13^th. The goal of the weekend is to promote a healthy lifestyle and the area of Jamestown.

Race registration is available at LucyRace.com. The early registration cost to enter the half marathon is $55 for half marathon participants, and $20 for 5k participants. Univera Healthcare members will receive a $5 discount to register for the half marathon participants, and a $2 discount for 5k participants.

The USATF certified course, which begins and ends in Jamestown, runs through the neighboring towns of Lakewood and Celoron. The course travels near the childhood home of Jamestown’s own Lucille Ball and the Lucille Ball Memorial Park.

Univera Healthcare will be the title sponsor for the weekend’s events.

“Univera Healthcare is proud to partner with the Jamestown area to help promote healthier living and we look forward to working with the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, Chautauqua Striders and the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy to present a great weekend of events, ” said Art Wingerter, CEO for Univera Healthcare.

Wingerter, who was in attendance at a press conference announcing the marathon held Thursday at the Jamestown Savings Bank Arena, was impressed by the collaborative efforts between the three local not-for-profits, and noted how he anticipates the event to be a success for years to come.

Journey Gunderson, executive director for the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy, also mentioned how the recent success of the Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy made it an easy decision to become involved with marathon that promotes living a healthy, happy lifestyle.

“After our festival we went around to the local businesses in Jamestown and got their feedback,” Gunderson said. “One of the main comments we heard was ‘Wow, this was a fantastic weekend, it’s a big money maker for us; if only there were more of these weekends throughout the year’.”

Jack Keeney, mayor of Celeron, noted how happy he was, along with many local dignitaries, to have Lucille Ball involved with promoting the area.

“Lucy brought big smiles and laughter into people’s lives, and combining humor with fitness is a terrific way to get more people focused on healthier living,” said Senator Catharine Young. “Our small businesses truly will benefit from drawing so many visitors to our region, so this event will give our local economy a shot in the arm. Organizers are to be congratulated for their creativity and innovation.”

“Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau is looking forward to promoting these races,” said Andrew Nixon, executive director for the CCVB. “The half marathon especially should draw hundreds of visitors to the area, exposing them to the wonderful experiences available in the Jamestown area and Chautauqua County”.

Nixon will be participating in the half marathon, although he admits a little extra training will be required.

“It’s great to see three great organizations come together to promote our area,” said Bill Daly, administrative director for County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency. “The fact that they are all involved with an event of this nature is a sign of a vibrant community. Hopefully, it will draw a large number of participants and spectators, and become an annual event.”

For additional information on the Lucy Town Half Marathon and 5k, contact Phil Genco at 716.484.2624 or visit LucyRace.com. Information on how to become a race volunteer is also available by visiting LucyRace.com.

About the Race Organizers

Lucy Desi Center for Comedy

Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY has honored the legacy of “The First Couple of Comedy” with its renowned museum attraction since 1996. Tripling in size in 2006, the mission of the museum and center for comedy is to preserve the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter through its commitment to the development of the comedic arts. The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy produces the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival annually on the first weekend of August, and has featured Ray Romano, Ellen DeGeneres, Lewis Black, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, Billy Gardell and more.

Chautauqua Striders

Originally founded in 1979 as a local track club, Chautauqua Striders has since developed into a multi-faceted community organization, proudly offering diversified programs that incorporate its mission to “mentor and guide youth through education, advocacy and athletics.”  The not-for-profit agency, based in Jamestown, New York, provides tutoring, mentoring, outreach and athletic programs to more than 2,000 Chautauqua County youth annually.  The goal of Chautauqua Striders is to help youth graduate high school inspired with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required for successful college and career experiences.

Jamestown Savings Bank Arena

The Jamestown Savings Bank Arena opened its doors in 2002 as a centralized community center in downtown Jamestown. The twin pad ice facility had an original focus on ice sports, primarily hockey and figure skating, but has widened its goals to become a multipurpose sports and entertainment venue.

Over the years, the not-for-profit organization has produced a variety of events including family shows, concerts and in 2011, hosted preliminary games for the IIHF World Jr. Hockey Championships. Most recently, JSBA was featured on NBC’s national telecast of the Progressive Skating & Gymnastics Spectacular, which was recorded at the Arena last December.

The Jamestown Arena is also home to the Jamestown Ironmen, who compete in the North American Hockey League. JSBA has also broadened its horizons with the addition of turf sports to its programming along with a free outdoor concert series throughout the summer. The Arena seeks to move forward with new ideas, an expanded selection of programming and entertainment, but still prides itself on being a community center for Jamestown’s youth and families alike.

Tickets are $75 per couple and are available at Lucy-Desi.com, or by calling the Lucy Desi Center at (716)484-0800.  Space is limited.  Beer and wine will be served by cash donation.  The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy is a501c3 non-profit, so all proceeds from the event will go towards supporting comedic programs and museum maintenance.

“In today’s fragmented world of hundreds of TV channels and dozens of mobile media viewing platforms, even the most popular TV broadcasts are seen by just a small fraction of the viewing audience,” said Gregg Oppenheimer, son of I Love Lucy creator, Jess Oppenheimer. “It’s awe-inspiring to think that my dad and his co-writers Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll Jr. were able to write something that was experienced and enjoyed by practically everyone in the country at the same time.”

Beyond setting ratings records, the episode also challenged established societal norms. Lucy Ricardo was the first character to be pregnant on television, and Lucille Ball was the first actress to have her actual pregnancy written into a show’s storyline.

Lucille Ball gave birth to her second child, Desi Arnaz, Jr., by a cesarean section scheduled for earlier that same day before the episode aired on national television.

Time truly stood still for this landmark episode. Not only did the episode’s ratings completely eclipse those of the first-ever televised presidential inauguration the following day, Colonel McCormick, owner and publisher of the Chicago Times, even scheduled his inauguration-eve party for Dwight Eisenhower around the episode so that the gala would finish at 9pm — just in time to roll out a television and allow the dignitaries to watch the telecast.

“It’s a very cool moment in television history to recognize because it gives one a sense of the significance of the show in American culture at that time, and because [a 98.6% Nielsen share] will almost certainly never happen again,” said Journey Gunderson, executive director at the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy.

In honor of this anniversary, Gregg Oppenheimer will be releasing his audiobook, I Love Lucy: The Untold Story. The audiobook can be downloaded on iTunes or Amazon.com, and all proceeds will go towards the Motion Picture & Television Fund.

About the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy

The Lucille Ball legacy has been proudly honored in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, New York by the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy since 1996. Tripling in size in 2006, the mission of the dual museum attraction and center for comedy is to preserve the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter through its commitment to the development of the comedic arts. The Lucy Desi Museum includes priceless memorabilia including iconic costumes, several Emmy awards, personal photographs, and Lucy’s own 1972 Mercedes Benz. Desilu Studios is devoted to the “I Love Lucy” TV series and features a re-creation of both Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s NYC apartment and Hollywood hotel suite, an interactive Vitameatavegamin set, a screening area, and many more showcases filled with vintage memorabilia.

The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy also hosts the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival on the first weekend of August. Since the festival started in 1991, Lucy Comedy Fest has featured performances by Lewis Black, Ray Romano, Ellen DeGeneres, Paula Poundstone, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, George Wallace, Billy Gardell, and many more. Today, the festival attracts over 10,000 visitors annually. Events include performances from some of the hottest rising comedians, live bands, live comedy theater, the world’s premier I Love Lucy impersonators, Late Night Stand-Up in the Tropicana Room, Lucy Town Bus Tours, a critically-acclaimed kids comedy show and more. The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival 2013 will be held August 1st-4th.  More information is available at LucyComedyFest.com.

A portion (a heart-shaped coat button) of the mural had been previously left unfinished so it could be completed on October 15^th, the 61^st anniversary of the first airdate of ‘I Love Lucy’. The image of Lucy, Ricky, Ethel and Fred on the mural is from the iconic ‘I Love Lucy’ episode, ‘California, Here We Come!’

Over 500 man hours were put in by both Gary Peters Jr. and Gary Peters Sr. to paint the 1,800 square foot portrait over Brooklyn Square in downtown Jamestown. Almost 30 gallons of paint were required (some of which were donated by the local Sherwin Williams store) and there are various hidden ‘I Love Lucy’ messages in the mural, including the mural scene’s episode number, 110.

This was the fifth ‘Lucy’-related mural completed by Gary Peters Sr. and Gary Peters Jr. in Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York. The first ‘Lucy’ mural in Jamestown was completed 12 years ago, and this most recent mural is being completed on the heels of ‘I Love Lucy’ being voted as Greatest TV Show and Greatest TV Comedy of all-time in the nationally-televised Barbara Walters’ special, ‘The Best in TV – The Greatest Shows of Our Time.’

Lucy fans can also help make the lighting of the first colorized ‘I Love Lucy’ mural possible by becoming a ‘Mural Luminary’. By donating towards the illumination project, fans will directly support the lighting of the mural. The names of these ‘Mural Luminaries’ will be listed at www.lucy-desi.com. To make a donation, contact 716.484.0800 during normal business hours or e-mail info@lucy-desi.com.

To view photos of the event online, visit the Lucy Desi Center’s Facebook page.

The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum and Desilu Studios

The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum and Desilu Studios are a year-round museum attraction in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York, and feature replica show sets, a behind-the-scenes look at the “I Love Lucy” show, an audio tour of Ball and Arnaz’s incredible careers narrated by the voice of daughter Lucie Arnaz, and much more.

The dual attraction is open 7 days a week, Monday – Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy is located at 2 W. 3rd Street in Jamestown, NY.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, or “Lucy Fest,” embodies Ball’s vision for her hometown legacy: a celebration of the comedic arts held annually on the weekend closest to her birth date, August 6th. This year’s festival ran from August 1st-5th and featured performances by Paula Poundstone, Lucie Arnaz, Tammy Pescatelli, Story Pirates, Billy Gardell from CBS’s Mike & Molly, the best “Lucy, Ricky, Fred & Ethel” impersonators in the world and much more. This year’s festival was brought to you in part by YNN, the TV media sponsor of Lucy Fest 2012. Lucy Fest 2013 will be August 1-4.  Additional information on the festival can be found at www.LucyComedyFest.com.

According to an economic impact study conducted by Buffalo firm Paradigm Economics and commissioned by the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the 2011 five-day festival saw 13,000 in attendance and had a direct impact of $3.6 million on Chautauqua County.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is the first pillar in a four-pillar Legacy of Laughter vision for the organization, including a comedic arts education program, comedy film festival and the establishment of the first national comedy center and hall of fame.

The mission of the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is to preserve the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter through its commitment to the development of the comedic arts.

JAMESTOWN, NY – September 19th, 2012 – “I Love Lucy” was named the Best Television Show of All-Time and Best Television Comedy of All-Time on the nationally-televised Barbara Walters special “The Best in TV – The Greatest Shows of Our Time.”

“I Love Lucy” was voted as Greatest TV Comedy through an online poll conducted by ABC News and People Magazine, which over one million people voted in. “I Love Lucy” won both categories it was nominated for; Best Television Comedy of All Time and Best Television Show of All Time.

The city of Jamestown and the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival were each included in two different segments during the two-hour Barbara Walters television special. Footage for the special was captured when a team of producers and cameramen from ABC News and People Magazine visited Jamestown, Desilu Studios, and the Lucy Desi Museum in August during this year’s Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy.

“The announcement of ‘I Love Lucy’ being the best television show of all-time really shows why Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz are called the ‘First Couple of Comedy’,” said Journey Gunderson, executive director of the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy. “’Lucy’ revolutionized TV as we know it, and to be recognized by fans from across the world as the greatest television show of all-time is a true testament to the lasting impact of Lucille Ball’s legacy.”

Lucy Desi Center unveils new exhibit at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, IL

Representatives from the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy will be unveiling a new “I Love Lucy” exhibit on September 19^th in the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago. The loaned exhibit will include a variety of memorabilia from the Lucy Desi Museum and Desilu Studios, including one of Lucille Ball’s Emmy awards for ‘I Love Lucy’.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications is one of only three broadcast museums in the United States. The museum includes interactive exhibit galleries, expanded archives, a media café, working radio and television studios, a gift shop and regularly scheduled public programs on historic and contemporary radio and television issues.

The unveiling will take place after the premiere of “I Love Lucy: Live On Stage” at the Broadway Palace at Water Tower Place in Chicago. The show will run through November 11. The same production premiered in Los Angeles last year to sold-out crowds for its initial five-month run. The show, which is staged and directed by Rick Sparks, features performers such as Sirena Irwin (Lucy Ricardo), Bill Mendieta (Ricky Ricardo), Curtis Pettyjohn (Fred Mertz), and Joanna Daniels (Ehel Mertz).

About The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, or “Lucy Fest,” embodies Ball’s vision for her hometown legacy: a celebration of the comedic arts held annually on the weekend closest to her birth date, August 6th. This year’s festival ran from August 1st-5th and featured performances by Paula Poundstone, Lucie Arnaz, Tammy Pescatelli, Story Pirates, Billy Gardell from CBS’s Mike & Molly, the best “Lucy, Ricky, Fred & Ethel” impersonators in the world and much more. This year’s festival was brought to you in part by YNN, the TV media sponsor of Lucy Fest 2012. Lucy Fest 2013 will be August 1-4.  Additional information on the festival can be found at www.LucyComedyFest.com.

According to an economic impact study conducted by Buffalo firm Paradigm Economics and commissioned by the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the 2011 five-day festival saw 13,000 in attendance and had a direct impact of $3.6 million on Chautauqua County.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is the first pillar in a four-pillar Legacy of Laughter vision for the organization, including a comedic arts education program, comedy film festival and the establishment of the first national comedy center and hall of fame.

The mission of the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is to preserve the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter through its commitment to the development of the comedic arts.

The results of an online poll conducted by ABC News and People Magazine, which nearly one million people voted in, will be announced during Tuesday’s special. I Love Lucy is nominated in two different categories; Best Television Comedy of All Time and Best Television Show of All Time.

A team of producers and cameramen from ABC News and People Magazine visited Jamestown in August during this year’s Lucille Ball Festival of Comedy to record footage for the nationally televised special.   A portion of the 2-hour special will feature Jamestown’s annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, the first-ever Lucy World Games, and footage from the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy’s dual museum attraction (Lucy Desi Museum and Desilu Studios).

“We’re excited to find out the results of the poll, and to share on national television what goes on here in Jamestown with the Queen of Comedy’s legacy,” said Journey Gunderson, executive director of the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy.  “We hope it will bring even more visitors to our year-round museum attraction and to our annual comedy festival each August.”

About The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, or “Lucy Fest,” embodies Ball’s vision for her hometown legacy: a celebration of the comedic arts held annually on the weekend closest to her birth date, August 6th. This year’s festival ran from August 1st-5th and featured performances by Paula Poundstone, Lucie Arnaz, Tammy Pescatelli, Story Pirates, Billy Gardell from CBS’s Mike & Molly, the best “Lucy, Ricky, Fred & Ethel” impersonators in the world and much more. This year’s festival was brought to you in part by YNN, the TV media sponsor of Lucy Fest 2012. Lucy Fest 2013 will be August 1-4.  Additional information on the festival can be found at www.LucyComedyFest.com.

According to an economic impact study conducted by Buffalo firm Paradigm Economics and commissioned by the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, the 2011 five-day festival saw 13,000 in attendance and had a direct impact of $3.6 million on Chautauqua County.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival is the first pillar in a four-pillar Legacy of Laughter vision for the organization, including a comedic arts education program, comedy film festival and the establishment of the first national comedy center and hall of fame.

The mission of the Lucy Desi Center for Comedy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is to preserve the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and enrich the world through the healing powers of love and laughter through its commitment to the development of the comedic arts.

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