Jamestown Sets World Record in Celebration of
Famous Grape Stomp Comedy Scene
JAMESTOWN, NY – October 13, 2014 – The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy set a new world record Saturday when 1,232 people stomped 60 tons of grapes in a city-block-sized vat in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York.
The organization produced the Welch’s World Record Grape Stomp in celebration of the iconic comedy scene from an episode of I Love Lucy, the television show created by Ball and husband Desi Arnaz.
Comedy legend Bob Newhart headlined the weekend as part of the organization’s mission and programs to celebrate comedy, including the recent Lucille Ball Comedy Festival headlined by Jay Leno in August, and the building of a new National Comedy Center set to open in Jamestown in 2016.
“Jamestown is a destination for laughter. Whether its stomping grapes in celebration of one of the funniest scenes in TV history or enjoying legends like Bob Newhart and so many others we’ve presented, you can count on coming to Jamestown for laughs,” said Lucy Desi Center and National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson.In addition to setting a Guinness world record for “Most Lucy Ricardos” in 2011 (917), the organization has presented comedy icons Martin Short, Joan Rivers, Lewis Black, Paula Poundstone, Ray Romano, Ellen DeGeneres and more, and brings more than 25 comedic artists annually with its programs.
Event producers also noted Jamestown’s location in Chautauqua County’s Lake Erie Grape Belt, the largest grape-growing region east of the Rockies and oldest Concord grape region in the world, as a reason for celebration. Title sponsor Welch’s has a portion of operations in the Western New York county.
Stompers among the 1,232 participants included runners in the second annual “Lucy Town Half Marathon & 5k”, which drew visitors from 31 states and three countries to Jamestown. The 13.1 mile course passes near the Lucy Desi Museum, Lucille Ball’s childhood home, and features inspirational quotes from the comedienne.
About The Lucy Desi 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. The Lucy Desi Center for Comedy is committed to the development of the comedic arts and to establishing Jamestown, NY as the home of the new National Comedy Center.
About Welch’s:
Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is made with Concord grapes, grown in North America by Welch’s family-farmer owners, that are picked at their peak and pressed into juice within 8 hours of harvesting. We’ve all heard of the benefits linked to drinking moderate amounts of red wine, but well over a decade’s worth of research suggests that, thanks to the Concord grape, Welch’s 100% Grape Juice helps support a healthy heart